Author/Authors :
Magklara, Elli School of Medicine - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece , Angelis, Stavros Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece , Solia, Eirini School of Medicine - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece , Katsimantas, Antonios Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece , Kourlaba, Georgia Center for clinical epidemiology and outcomes research (CLEO), Athens, Greece , Kostakis, Georgios School of Dentistry - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece , Tsakotos, Georgios Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece , Zaoutis, Theoklis Center for clinical epidemiology and outcomes research (CLEO), Athens, Greece , Filippou, Dimitrios Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Abstract :
Background and aim of the work: Since December 2019, the world has been facing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Medical students could not remain uninvolved. Our aim is to inves-tigate the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health, and to evaluate their awareness and aptitude for contributing to the fight against COVID-19. Methods: An in-depth search of the literature was performed in Pubmed database, for studies investigating the preferred source of information about COVID-19, the knowledge on virus transmission, COVID-19 clinical symptoms and preventive measures against its spread, and the impact of COVID-19 on mental health among medical students. Their potential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic were also investigated. Results: Twenty studies were included. The majority of medical students prefer social media to acquire knowledge about COVID-19. They are adequately informed about COVID-19 transmission and symptoms, as well as preventive measures against COVID-19, although wear-ing a face-mask is not so popular among them. Their mental health is affected, mainly expressed as a fear of infection. Possible alternative roles of students during pandemic may be providing information to the public and tracing contacts of infected people. Conclusions: Medical students have an adequate level of knowledge upon COVID-19 and implement proper strategies to prevent its spread. Further training is essential to im-prove some aspects in this field. Despite the negative impact of COVID-19 on their mental health, they could assist healthcare systems under appropriate precautions. (www.actabiomedica.it)
Keywords :
COVID-19 , medical students , mental health , preventive behavior
