Impact of Online Learning on the Mental Health of Medical Students of a Chosen Higher Education Institution in CAMANAVA during the COVID &ndash; 19 Pandemic Academic Year 2020-2021

Janice  D. De Leon,; Julia  L. Santos,; Andrea Louise  Valdez,; Samuel  Vitin Jr,; Dana Ira  A. Macapagal,; Angele-An Chay  C. Malilay,; Geramae  E. Sagario,; Ver John Dave  D. Salvador,; Denise  S. Sambilay,; Neil Matthew  U. Aquino,; Jornaliza  B. Chua,; Kevin Michael  A. Cruz,; Diego Allan  D. De Guzman,; Atheena Lorain  E. Francisco,; Nadia  P. Giliberte,; Carl Terence  Uy,

Impact of Online Learning on the Mental Health of Medical Students of a Chosen Higher Education Institution in CAMANAVA during the COVID – 19 Pandemic Academic Year 2020-2021

Discipline: Medicine

Abstract:

COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern which affected our lifestyle. To ensure continuous knowledge, the education sector adjusted to virtual classes which made an impact on mental health. Barriers of online learning include weak network connection of respective internet providers and socioeconomic resources. In addition, this cross-sectional descriptive study also compared the demographic profiles based on sex, living conditions, and COVID-19 diagnosis of medical students from the chosen institution during Academic Year 2020-2021. Informed consent was given prior to participating in the study. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21, or DASS-21 was used and distributed through different social media platforms among randomized participants to assess their mental state. Results showed that there is no significant relationship found between demographic profile of participants and their mental health. However, the majority of the respondents experience a negative impact on their mental health during online learning. Statistical computation reflected that there are significant differences among various year levels, wherein first year students ranked highest in all three parameters while fourth year students ranked lowest.