A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating the Tools and Resources Australian Medical Students Used to Support Their Mental Health During Covid-19

Abstract

Background The mental health of medical students is notoriously poor, and with the additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been greater concern for the wellbeing of the current cohort. This cross-sectional study investigates the impact of lockdown coping strategies used by Australian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health improvement, including connecting with family and friends, exercise, using social media, and various other interests. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was shared in 2021 with medical students from all years via Facebook and General Practice Student Network’s communications during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of a variety of lockdown coping strategies utilized by participants was assessed using SPSS. Results There were 283 participants in this study, 69.6% of whom were females, 54.9% in their pre-clinical years, and 70.5% between the ages of 18-24. The results showed that nearly 80% of participants credited their mental health improvement to peri-lockdown strategies. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that reading (non-medical books) and spending more time with family were the most notable peri-lockdown strategies associated with mental health improvement. Interestingly, some participants reported that some coping strategies decreased productivity, including TV shows and movies. Conclusions Our study found that lockdown coping strategies played an essential role in the improvement and maintenance of medical students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, strategies that allowed students to socialize and engage in non-academic activities allowed them to cope with mental stressors more effectively