The worldwide contribution of medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: quantitative and qualitative research

Abstract

Background One of the biggest concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is the extreme demand for health care workers and health systems. Medical students possess a range of skills and attributes that can help the declining workforce. This paper aims to provide an overview of the roles medical students have taken during this pandemic worldwide and provide insights to work towards establishing safe, efficient and useful roles during the progression of the pandemic. Methods A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed through social media using platforms and networks that involved medical students worldwide. Analysis of the data included both quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative data of multiple-choice questions was done to calculate the percentage of countries in which students played a role during the pandemic, whether they were paid, and if medical education was suspended. Furthermore, we identified the different roles medical students had across the globe. Qualitative analysis was performed on blank space questions to gain more insights regarding the roles of medical students across different countries. Results 144 responses were reported from 47 countries and 81 different universities, representing all United Nations Regions. The role of medical students was most reported as providing medical assistance, namely in 61.7% of countries. Other reported roles were helplines, no role, logistical assistance, testing, baby-sitting, awareness, triage and supporting a physician at home. In 7.5% of the countries where students are performing services, it is reported these are paid services. In 45.7% (n = 37) of all universities, medical schools have been suspended with no reported (online) alternative for classes or exams. Conclusions Our results show that medical students have the capability to contribute in many different ways during this pandemic. In most cases, roles are unpaid and many reports show that there is no clarity on whether their roles will count towards their educational credits. It is crucial to develop adequate protocols and statements, so medical students can contribute to the best of their capacity and in a safe, ethical and healthy manner during the pandemic, for which additional research and collaboration between institutions is needed.

Deploying Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Nevertheless, as access to PPE and supervision improve, their contribution could be restricted to low-acuity COVID-19 patients [3]. This includes working in screening and assessment clinics, assisting in GP practices, and triaging in Emergency Departments (EDs) [6,7]. In Norwich Medical School in the UK, for example, after the announcement of closure, including cancellation of clinical placements, medical students were recruited in areas of greatest clinical need in order to assist with tasks such as basic nursing care, proning, and swab testing with significant benefits to both students and clinical teams [8].…”

“…In primary care activities, medical students could take a variety of responsibilities. One possibility is to help patient temperature and saturation screening or take swabs and implement rapid testing that informs community surveillance [7,11]. It has been suggested that 'they can monitor patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms who are not admitted; expedite care for admitted patients by reviewing charts, drafting notes, and ensuring tests are performed; and follow-up with patients after discharge' [9].…”

“…In medical schools across the USA, the UK, and other countries, students are volunteering in call centres (e.g., by following up COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms which were advised to stay isolated at home), creating and delivering patient education/information material, collecting masks for local hospitals, and they are also helping with various activities (e.g., childcare for occupied medical staff, logistical assistance, shopping, and collecting prescriptions for people unable to leave their homes) [2,7,16]. For example, at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, medical students were voluntarily employed in a multicounty COVID-19 hotline clinical experience by providing counselling and education via telehealth, so as to adress the new challenges and to assist the underserved rural populations of northern Nevada [21].…”