Medical students face challenges to their mental wellbeing and have a high prevalence of mental health problems. During training, they are expected to develop strategies for dealing with stress. This study investigated factors medical students perceived as draining and replenishing during COVID-19, using the ‘coping reservoir’ model of wellbeing. In synchronous interactive pre-recorded webinars, 78 fourth-year medical students in the UK responded to reflective prompts. Participants wrote open-text comments on a Padlet site. Responses were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis identified five themes. COVID-19 exacerbated academic pressures, while reducing the strategies available to cope with stress. Relational connections with family and friends were affected by the pandemic, leading to isolation and reliance on housemates for informal support. Relationships with patients were adversely affected by masks and telephone consultations, however attending placement was protective for some students’ wellbeing. Experiences of formal support were generally positive, but some students experienced attitudinal and practical barriers. This study used a novel methodology to elicit medical students’ reflections on their mental wellbeing during COVID-19. Our findings reinforce and extend the ‘coping reservoir’ model, increasing our understanding of factors that contribute to resilience or burnout. Many stressors that medical students typically face were exacerbated during COVID-19, and their access to coping strategies and support were restricted. The changes to relationships with family, friends, patients, and staff resulted in reduced support and isolation. Recognising the importance of relational connections upon medical students’ mental wellbeing can inform future support.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19期间医学生的福祉：对挑战、应对策略和支持来源的定性研究

医学生的心理健康面临着挑战，心理健康问题的发生率很高。在培训期间，他们应该制定应对压力的策略。本研究使用幸福感的“应对水库”模型，调查了医学生认为在 COVID-19 期间消耗和补充的因素。在预先录制的同步互动网络研讨会中，78 名英国四年级医学生对反思性提示做出了回应。参与者在 Padlet 网站上撰写开放文本评论。使用反思性主题分析对答复进行分析。分析确定了五个主题。 COVID-19 加剧了学业压力，同时减少了应对压力的可用策略。与家人和朋友的关系受到大流行的影响，导致孤立和依赖室友的非正式支持。口罩和电话咨询对与患者的关系产生了不利影响，但参加安置对一些学生的健康有保护作用。正式支持的经历总体上是积极的，但一些学生遇到了态度和实际障碍。这项研究采用了一种新颖的方法来引发医学生对其在 COVID-19 期间心理健康状况的反思。我们的研究结果强化并扩展了“应对水库”模型，增加了我们对导致复原力或倦怠的因素的理解。医学生通常面临的许多压力在 COVID-19 期间加剧，他们获得应对策略和支持的机会也受到限制。与家人、朋友、患者和工作人员关系的变化导致支持减少和孤立。认识到人际关系对医学生心理健康的重要性可以为未来的支持提供信息。