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“We’re Not Going to Be as Prepared”: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Trainees’ Experiences after One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Holly Blake

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK
    NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Alex Brewer

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UK, UK)

  • Niki Chouliara

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UK, UK
    NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Nottingham NG7 2TU, UK)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on the mental health and academic experiences of healthcare trainees. Building on findings from earlier in the pandemic, we explore the impacts on healthcare trainees after a sustained pandemic period of 12–14 months, involving multiple lockdowns, changes in government COVID-19 regulations and the delivery of health education. A qualitative study was conducted between March–May 2021. Participants were 12 healthcare trainees (10 women, 2 men) of medicine, nursing, and midwifery, registered at one of three higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Interviews were fully transcribed, and data were thematically analysed using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches. We identified three key themes with eight subthemes: (i) academic experiences (adjustment to online learning, loss of clinical experience, confidence in the university), (ii) impacts on wellbeing (psychosocial impacts, physical impacts, pandemic duration and multiple lockdowns), and (iii) support frameworks (university preparedness for increased student support needs, importance of relationship with academic tutors). Findings shed light on the long-lasting and emerging impacts of the pandemic over time. We identify support needs for trainees both during their academic studies, and as they move forwards into professional roles within the healthcare workforce. Recommendations are made for higher education institutions and healthcare employers.

Suggested Citation

  • Holly Blake & Alex Brewer & Niki Chouliara, 2023. "“We’re Not Going to Be as Prepared”: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Trainees’ Experiences after One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4255-:d:1082431
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Isabel Lasheras & Patricia Gracia-García & Darren M. Lipnicki & Juan Bueno-Notivol & Raúl López-Antón & Concepción de la Cámara & Antonio Lobo & Javier Santabárbara, 2020. "Prevalence of Anxiety in Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Holly Blake & Holly Knight & Ru Jia & Jessica Corner & Joanne R. Morling & Chris Denning & Jonathan K. Ball & Kirsty Bolton & Grazziela Figueredo & David E. Morris & Patrick Tighe & Armando Mendez Vil, 2021. "Students’ Views towards Sars-Cov-2 Mass Asymptomatic Testing, Social Distancing and Self-Isolation in a University Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Holly Blake & Kathryn Watkins & Matthew Middleton & Natalia Stanulewicz, 2021. "Obesity and Diet Predict Attitudes towards Health Promotion in Pre-Registered Nurses and Midwives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-20, December.
    4. Stina Oftedal & Corneel Vandelanotte & Mitch J. Duncan, 2019. "Patterns of Diet, Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep Are Associated with Socio-Demographic, Behavioural, and Health-Risk Indicators in Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-14, July.
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