COVID-19 AND GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER: IMPACT OF PANDEMIC ON MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 on the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in medical students in the city of Salvador. Materials and Methods: The study will consist of data collection that will assess the impact of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 on the development of GAD in medical students in Salvador city submitted to the application of a standardized Google form. The sample was calculated contemplating a total student population of 6360 students from the five medical courses offered in the city of Salvador and considering a sample error of 5% and a confidence level of 95%. Thus, the study will be carried out with 241 medical students from Salvador city in Bahia submitted to the application of the form. This is an analytical observational cross-sectional and descriptive study. Results: A high prevalence of GAD was found among the medical students evaluated, in which single women were more likely to be diagnosed with GAD. In addition, it was observed that the pandemic was associated with their dissatisfaction with learning through remote education and with anxiety triggers. In addition, the majority of students despite not having any type of psychological follow-up reveal the need for this type of monitoring. Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic has been subjecting society to constant changes. Before this reality, medical students find themselves into this context of uncertainties about the future of their training and intense emotional burden ending up being affected by GAD.