AN EVALUATION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF COVID 19 ON UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN WEST BENGAL, INDIA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The COVID 19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in the lives of people all over the world. Due to the sudden change in the way of life mental health problems have been rising across the globe. Medical students have been no exception to this. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess whether the pandemic has adversely affected the mental health of undergraduate medical students of West Bengal, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted using standardized questionnaires, namely Perceived Stress Scale and Beck Depression Inventory, to assess the levels of stress and depression among the students. Specic stressors affecting the students were also studied. RESULTS: Moderate or severe levels of stress and/or depression were reported by 83.87% out of the 465 students who participated in the study. However only 21.08% of them have sought professional help. The most stressful factor for rst year students was the online mode of education, while that for the second and third year students was uncertainty about future, and that for nal year students was the impact on internship rotations and clinical experience. CONCLUSIONS: COVID 19 pandemic has signicantly affected the mental health of medical undergraduate students in India. The treatment gap has to be reduced to ensure a better quality of life for the individual, and thus benet the entire society at large.