Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Students' Career Views in General Practice
Author Information
Author(s): Zoe Hook, Ben Jackson, Hugh Alberti, Claire Capper, Fiona Hay, Carly Hire, Hannah Randles, Juliet Zachary, Joanne Protheroe
Hypothesis
How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced medical students' perceptions of a career in general practice?
Conclusion
The study found that clinical experiences and the changing landscape of general practice since the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affect students' career plans.
Supporting Evidence
- Students reported that remote consulting limited their exposure to patients.
- Concerns about workload and work-life balance were significant in students' career decisions.
- Students felt isolated during placements due to changes in working patterns during the pandemic.
- Positive clinical experiences in general practice helped clarify students' career thoughts.
- Students were aware of the current challenges faced by the NHS and its impact on their future careers.
Takeaway
Medical students are worried about becoming GPs because of changes in how doctors work since COVID-19, like more online consultations and heavy workloads.
Methodology
Qualitative study using focus groups across three English medical schools.
Potential Biases
Researchers facilitating focus groups were early career GPs, which may have introduced bias.
Limitations
The study includes a small number of students from three medical schools, which may not reflect the broader range of experiences.
Participant Demographics
Final and penultimate year medical students from three English medical schools.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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