Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Education: Perspectives From Students

Abstract

This article provides an overview of issues facing medical students in such key areas as communication, preclinical and clinical education, increased isolation, disruption to time-based curricula, inequities in virtual learning, racial trauma, medical student activism, increased conversations surrounding race and racism, LGBTQIA+ students, dual-degree students, and the virtual residency cycle. This article described challenges navigated by medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as triumphs resulting from the disruption, and actionable recommendations in key areas. While the pandemic presented new challenges for medical students, it also uncovered or exacerbated longstanding problems. The intent is for medical schools and institutions to utilize these recommendations to create learning environments that do not depend on medical student resilience. The main takeaways for medical schools are to: (1) maintain an individualized and learner-centered ethos while remaining dynamic, flexible, and ready to embrace both immediate and incremental change; (2) maintain open lines of communication; (3) implement policies and practices that support students’ academic, physical, and mental well-being; (4) engage and support students who bear historically disadvantaged identities on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability; and (5) support creative and collaborative partnerships between medical institutions and students to ensure the ongoing evolution of medical education to meet the needs of learners and patients.