The Impact of COVID-19 on Academic Performance and Personal Experience Among First-Year Medical Students

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic forced medical education to rapidly transition from in-person learning to online learning. This change came with learning difficulties, social isolation, limited student/faculty relationships, and decreased academic performance. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine if academic performance, study habits, student/faculty relationships, and mental health were different in first-year medical students (class of 2024) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-COVID cohorts. Methods In April 2021, a survey was sent to first-year medical students at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV asking them to reflect on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic including study environment, mental health, and relationships with peers and faculty. A similar survey was sent to second- and third-year medical students (classes of 2023 and 2022) asking them to reflect on similar experiences during their first year of medical school. Exam scores for the first five exams were gathered and compared between first-, second-, and third-year medical students. Results One hundred twenty-five students responded to the survey (81% of first-year students, 75% of second-year students, and 55% of third-year students). During the COVID-19 pandemic, first semester students did not score above the national average as much as first semester students pre-COVID (55% vs. 77%). Students during the pandemic studied at home more than previous cohorts. Mental health and relationships were all rated significantly lower among first semester students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Significant differences were found in first semester student experience and academic performance during the pandemic compared to pre-COVID cohorts.

Moderating Effects of Self-Esteem on the Relationship between Communication Anxiety and Academic Performance among Female Health College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, opposing studies exist. A survey of over 120 medical students from the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine in Las Vegas showed that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, first-semester students did not score above the national average as much as first-semester students before the pandemic [ 12 ]. Similarly, a study of over 200 students from Italian universities showed a negative impact of online learning on the concentration and learning abilities of students, two of the strongest predictors of poor academic performance [ 13 ].…”

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Progress Test Performance in German-Speaking Countries

“…e results reported in the literature are not unanimous; some findings describe negative trends [3] or impacts [4,19] of the pandemic on the academic performance of medical students. On the other hand, there are findings where medical students have stressed the benefits of online lectures [6] and also studies concluding that their cognitive performance remained the same [5] or improved [20].…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and academic performance of medical postgraduates

“…Examinations have also been transitioned to online or, in some cases, may be deferred. Many students have reported concerns about not being able to learn and practice clinical skills in person ( 44 ). Moreover, there is a decrease in the number of clinical teachers because some of them have devoted their time to pandemic prevention and control teams ( 45 ).…”