ADAPTAÇÃO ACADÊMICA E SAÚDE MENTAL DE ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA NA COVID19: ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO NO BRASIL

Abstract

Research shows that university students are more vulnerable to the occurrence of mental disorders than the general population. In this sense, the medical course is considered a great source of stress. This study aimed to characterize the variables of academic adaptation (personal, interpersonal, career, study and institutional) of students facing the pandemic period of COVID-19, as well as to present descriptive statistics regarding emotional, physical and behavioral variables associated with mental health (stress, depression and anxiety). 513 medical students participated in the research, with ages varying between 18 and 29 years (M = 22.41; SD = 2.49), coming from public (18.7%; n = 96) and private universities (81, 3%; n = 417). Three questionnaires were used for data collection: the Academic Experiences Questionnaire - short version (QVA-r); the Depression Scale, Anxiety and Stress DASS-21 and a sociodemographic questionnaire. It was observed that most of the sample reported losses in concentration levels (79.5%) and academic performance (59.8%) during the pandemic, and this contingent also did not feel supported by the university to deal with the issues of this period. Regarding professional performance, most students (53.6%) do not feel prepared to guide conduct, as well as the perception that pandemic interferes in the relationship with patients in primary care (93.8%). Regarding the levels of depression, anxiety and stress, the first and second year students had higher averages when compared to students in more advanced stages. This article contributed to identify the impact of remote education on the training of future doctors and, thus, encourage research and study of this new adaptation in the face of the current pandemic of COVID-19.