The Educational Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Education and Medical Practice Confidence of the Final Clinical Year Medical Students, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University

Abstract

Background: The COVID 19 pandemics affected medical education, resulting in clinical study adjustment such as online-based learning and reducing the clinical skill practice with patients. Objectives: To examine medical education effect of the COVID-19 pandemics and Factor associated with medical practice confidence of the final clinical year medical students. Method: The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. Collecting survey data from sixth year medical students practicing at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemics, 95 participants were involved. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were performed. Results: More than half of the participants were females (54.47%), with mean age of 23.62 year 0.77. The medical education effect was reported to be as high as 96.84%. One-third of participants had anxiety and depression. Of all, they got COVID-19 vaccination. Most participants had moderate levels of confidence in medical practice according to seven medical practice competencies of the Medical Council of Thailand. The result from multiple regression analysis found that the depression was significantly associated with the summary of confidence in medical practice (Coefficient -2.221, 95% CI -4.20 to -0.23, p-value = .029) Conclusions: During COVID 19 pandemic, the depression was associated with the confidence in medical practice of the last year medical student. Therefore, the relevant institutions should screen depression and assist student in receiving the treatment and support in medical education to help reducing the negative effect of confidence in medical practice in the future.