Frontlines and Crossroads: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Motivations of Medical Students from Selected Philippine Medical Schools in Pursuing Their Medical Studies
Background: Because the COVID-19 pandemic forced Philippine medical education to shift online, the loss of practical skills and face-to-face clinical interactions affected many students who had to cope with both lifestyle and learning changes. This study aimed to compare the strength and nature of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
2025-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Medical Students |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2509 |
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| Summary: | Background: Because the COVID-19 pandemic forced Philippine medical education to shift online, the loss of practical skills and face-to-face clinical interactions affected many students who had to cope with both lifestyle and learning changes. This study aimed to compare the strength and nature of motivations of medical students to pursue their studies before and after the onset of the pandemic, and to propose recommendations to support them through the pandemic and beyond.
Methods: Inductive thematic analysis was done of semi-structured interviews with 17 medical students selected through purposive sampling. Eligible respondents were medical students who were enrolled in SY 2020-2021 and experienced the transition of their education to an online setting.
Results: The desire to serve motivated most pre-clinical students, while financial reward was a factor for clinical students. Despite the limitations of online education, lack of social interaction and skills training, medical students had strengthened motivations to continue their studies as the pandemic highlighted the need for physicians, reinforcing their intrinsic desire to serve others despite mental health and financial issues.
Conclusions: While most medical students interviewed felt more motivated in pursuing their studies during the pandemic, there was a desire and a call for more support in their studies and training. Their personal stories suggested there is room for improvement in certain aspects of local medical education. Addressing their concerns through financial and educational support, and bridging clinical skills with online learning would thus help them create quality healthcare in the pandemic context and beyond.
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| ISSN: | 2076-6327 |