J Yeungnam Med Sci.  2022 Oct;39(4):314-321. 10.12701/jyms.2022.00437.

A study on the mental health of students at a medical school during COVID-19 outbreak: a retrospective study

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Medical Humanities, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
  • 2Department of Medical Education, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
  • 3Department of Psychiatry, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
  • 4EASYMIND Psychological Counseling Center, Daegu, Korea

Abstract

Background
In this study, the degree of anxiety, depression, and stress caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified, as well as the need for psychological prevention measures among medical students in the Daegu region that was designated the first special disaster area due to the spread of COVID-19.
Methods
The subjects of this study were 318 medical students in Daegu who voluntarily participated in an online test using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version. As a result of the test, risk students received immediate telephone counseling, and the effect of this telephone counseling was analyzed.
Results
There were no differences in depression, anxiety, or stress according to gender and grade. As a result of immediate telephone counseling for risk students, significant differences were found in depression, anxiety, and stress, and the counseling was found to be effective.
Conclusion
For medical students who are easily exposed to stress, the importance of psychological prevention measures and effectiveness of non-face-to-face counseling should be recognized. In the field of medical education, we must do our best to build a system that can be used immediately at the appropriate time for these programs.

Keyword

Counseling; COVID-19; Medical education; Medical students; Mental health

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Study subjects selection and data collection diagram. HADS-A, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety; HADS-D, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression; IES-R-K, Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version.


Reference

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