Background As United States (US) medical students suffer higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population, the wellness of medical students is particularly salient. One definition describes wellness as having eight dimensions: Intellectual, emotional, physical, social, occupational, financial, environmental, and spiritual. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses unique challenges for medical students, we aimed to compare medical student wellness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An informal survey was created to assess eight wellness dimensions and was distributed via Survey Monkey to US allopathic and osteopathic medical students via email and social media. The survey was administered from March 29, 2020 to June 23, 2020. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the change in students’ overall wellness using an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (least well) to 10 (most well). Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the change in students’ responses to the eight dimensions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results On multivariable analysis, students reported a decline in their overall wellness during COVID-19 (Mdiff = -1.08; p < .001). Asian respondents reported little change in overall wellness (M = -0.65) when compared to White respondents (M = -1.16) and Black respondents (M = -1.57). Students felt less supported and comfortable with their social (OR = 0.47) and daily (OR = 0.45) environments and expressed decreased satisfaction with their exercise (OR = 0.85), sense of purpose (OR = 0.33), and financial status (OR = 0.75). Students also expressed lower confidence (OR = 0.15) and satisfaction (OR = 0.11) with their medical education and increased anxiety (OR = 3.37) and depression (OR = 2.05). Conclusions Medical students reported declines in overall wellness and individual wellness dimensions. These findings can be used to implement changes to improve medical student wellness.

Arnold and Padilla Colon 1 state that physical exercise is the primary intervention for the prevention and management of sarcopenia. However, although not overtly stated, it is worthwhile to recall that as per the US Physical Activity Guidelines, all older adults should be engaged in a regular multicomponent physical activity/exercise program, including aerobic and resistance exercise training as well as balance exercises. 4 As such, a primary prevention program of sorts is already in place for sarcopenia via these guidelines. Unfortunately, not unlike the US population at large, compliance with these guidelines is quite low, with only 23% of older adults achieving the recommended minimums for aerobic and resistance exercise. 5 Thus, again, there is an opportunity for physiatrists to intervene by dedicating a few minutes during a clinical visit with their older patients to enforce the benefits of exercise/physical activity and/or to provide educational resources for these patients (e.g., National Institute on Aging Exercise and Physical Activity website, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercisephysical-activity) to assist them in developing a regular exercise/physical activity program.For patients diagnosed with sarcopenia, a program as per Arnold and Padilla Colon 1 can be initiated, while for those with one or more identified concomitant disabling diagnoses (e.g., hip or knee osteoarthritis, neurogenic claudication), a physiatrist can address management of those conditions as well.In sum, the evaluation and management of older adult patients with, or at risk, for sarcopenia are yet another area in which the unique skill set and expertise of physiatrists can be brought to bear to optimize the health and welfare of a functionally disabled patient population.

Background: As United States (US) medical students suffer higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population, medical student wellness has been studied in recent years. One definition describes wellness as having eight dimensions: Intellectual, emotional, physical, social, occupational, financial, environmental, and spiritual. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses unique challenges for medical students, we aimed to compare medical student wellness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: An informal survey was created to assess the eight wellness dimensions and distributed via Survey Monkey to US allopathic and osteopathic medical students via email and social media. The survey was administered from March 29, 2020 to June 23, 2020. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the change in students’ overall wellness using an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (least well) to 10 (most well). Generalized estimating equations were used to compare students’ responses to the eight dimensions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: On multivariable analysis, students reported a decline in their overall wellness during COVID-19 (Mdiff = -1.04; p < .001), with Asian respondents reporting almost no change in overall wellness (M = -0.69) compared to White respondents (M = -1.18; p = .049) and Black respondents (M = -1.78; p = .03). Students felt less supported and comfortable with their social (OR = 0.47) and daily (OR = 0.45) environments and expressed decreased satisfaction with their exercise (OR = 0.85), sense of purpose (OR = 0.33), and financial status (OR = 0.75). Students also expressed lower confidence (OR = 0.15) and satisfaction (OR = 0.11) with their medical education and increased anxiety (OR = 3.37) and depression (OR = 2.05).Conclusions: Medical students reported declines in overall wellness and individual wellness dimensions. These findings can be used to implement changes to improve medical student wellness.

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