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COVID-19 Pandemic Psychological Impact and Volunteering Experience Perceptions of Medical Students after 2 Years

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  • Esperanza L. Gómez-Durán

    (School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
    Integral Care Program for Sick Health Professionals, Galatea Clinic, Galatea Foundation, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Carles Martin Fumadó

    (School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
    Professional Liability and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Aina M. Gassó

    (School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Sandra Díaz

    (School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Andrea Miranda-Mendizabal

    (School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Carlos G. Forero

    (School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Montserrat Virumbrales

    (School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Undergraduate healthcare students were mobilized to support healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have scarce information regarding their experience and its impact on their wellbeing. An anonymous online survey was conducted among undergraduate students and recently graduated physicians of a medical university in Spain, regarding their symptoms and volunteering experience during the initial months of the Spanish COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents showed a high prevalence of perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, measured by the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. 14.5% reported healthcare-related volunteering tasks. Volunteering was a satisfactory experience for most of the respondents and the majority felt ready to do volunteering tasks (66.6%). Yet, 16.6% acknowledged not getting appropriate specific-task education before starting, 20.8% reported not having appropriate supervision, and 33.3% feel they did not have proper protective equipment. More than half of volunteers feared getting infected, more than 70% feared infecting their relatives or friends, and 54.2% reported stigmatization. Volunteers showed significantly higher stress, anxiety, and depression scores than the rest of the respondents, and 32% reported a highly traumatic event during volunteering, with high scores on the IES-R in the 16% of volunteers. Our results should help guide future potential volunteering processes in emergencies, enhance academic programs at medical schools and provide valuable data for psychological support services.

Suggested Citation

  • Esperanza L. Gómez-Durán & Carles Martin Fumadó & Aina M. Gassó & Sandra Díaz & Andrea Miranda-Mendizabal & Carlos G. Forero & Montserrat Virumbrales, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic Psychological Impact and Volunteering Experience Perceptions of Medical Students after 2 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7532-:d:843127
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    References listed on IDEAS

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