Learning and mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic: experience of first year Medical students

ABSTRACT Introduction: The new coronavirus pandemic resulted in measures to contain its spread, such as the implementation of remote teaching, and affected the well-being of individuals; Thus, it becomes necessary to investigate the social and emotional consequences for students entering in 2020 at a medical school in the interior of São Paulo. Objective: To understand the effects of the pandemic on the formation of the incoming class of an HEI in São Paulo in 2020, analyzing the academic and mental health implications of these students. Methods: Exploratory and qualitative study using an online questionnaire, asking medical students to evaluate learning during the first year of the course, positive and negative points of remote teaching, effects on interpersonal relationships, learning and mental health. The first two authors and students who left the course between enrollment and the date of the research were excluded from the sample. The study was carried out through data analysis using Content Analysis, thematic modality. Results: 33 students participated, 18 females and 15 males, aged between 20 and 30 years old. Content analysis identified 21 meaning cores; From them, four themes were created, dealing with the damage to the institutional process and academic performance, changes and restrictions in interpersonal relationships, the benefits and harms of using digital technologies, and the consequences of remote teaching on students’ mental health. Final considerations: This study can provide important insights to understand the true impact of the pandemic on the quality of student training, interpersonal relationships and mental health. Based on these results, measures can be implemented to meet these students’ needs.