finish up their rotation virtually , or were they clinicians-in-training whose place in the hospital remains as important as anyone else ’ s ? 1
Each medical school cohort was challenged with a unique set of problems . The graduating class of 2020 encountered a difficult transition to the intern workforce . The class of 2021 faced jarring and unprecedented changes to the Electronic Residency Application System ( ERAS ), postponements to the United States Medical Licensing Examination ( USMLE ) Step 2 exam , and cancellations of both visiting away rotations and in-person interviews . 4 Likewise , my cohort and I , the class of 2022 , grappled with temporary closures of Prometric testing sites and USMLE Step 1 delays . 2 In addition , some medical schools , including the University of Louisville School of Medicine , shortened or virtually facilitated clinical clerkships . For the class of 2023 , learning was universally online , which isolated students from peers and limited shadowing experiences . Finally , incoming first year students , the class of 2024 , had fewer interactions with classmates , faculty and in-person didactics , which throttled the built-in support networks and the overall medical school experience .
Although medical students had limited access to in-person patient care , students found innovative ways to engage with their communities . Every generation has experienced a call to action and mobilized in times of crisis . 1 , 2 For example , University of Pennsylvania medical students served as physicians as they treated patients during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 . 1 As a medical student abruptly sent home , I faced uncertainty about exams , clerkships and the future . The unexpected shift from in-person training to remote learning led to social isolation , stress and burnout . Many of my classmates fared similarly . To cope and contribute , we administered COVID-19 tests and vaccines and delivered food to those in need in my community .
Despite the well-publicized challenges of the medical school application process and the strain on health care workers throughout the first months of the pandemic , the 2020-2021 application cycle saw a record number of applications , up 18 % year over year - a more competitive season than ever . 5 This marked spike in interest is now known as the “ Fauci effect ,” after the nation ’ s most visible expert on COVID-19 , Dr . Anthony Fauci . Many believe the increased interest in the medical profession is multifold : driven by the desire among younger generations to help in times of crisis , improve global health and take advantage of the down time doled out to many Americans during the lockdown to commit to the arduous application process . 5 , 6
Once again , faced with a crisis , current medical students proved their contributions to medicine , and the rise in medical school applicants demonstrates the reach of the calling . As the pandemic persisted , students deployed their resilience , altruism and adaptability to support frontline medical personnel . Ultimately , as COVID-19 cases leveled , and the pandemic became manageable ( until now , with the threat of the delta variant ), medical students were given opportunities to resume in-person training . As we enter the second calendar year battling a resurgence of COVID-19 , the health care
FEATURE system will respond to evolving challenges . Rather than sidelining America ’ s future doctors , moving forward , stakeholders and decision makers should reflect on what medical students can offer , use our skills to help patients and be assured we will rise to meet any occasion .
References :
1
Miller DG , Pierson L , Doernberg S . The Role of Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic . Ann Intern Med . 2020 Jul 21 ; 173 ( 2 ): 145-146 . doi : 10.7326 / M20-1281 . Epub 2020 Apr 7 . PMID : 32259194 ; PMCID : PMC7151405 .
2
Rolak S , Keefe AM , Davidson EL , Aryal P , Parajuli S . Impacts and challenges of United States medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic . World J Clin Cases . 2020 Aug 6 ; 8 ( 15 ): 3136-3141 . doi : 10.12998 / wjcc . v8 . i15.3136 . PMID : 32874968 ; PMCID : PMC7441247 .
3
Lucey CR , Johnston SC . The Transformational Effects of COVID-19 on Medical Education . JAMA . 2020 Sep 15 ; 324 ( 11 ): 1033-1034 . doi : 10.1001 / jama . 2020.14136 . PMID : 32857137 .
4
Hammoud MM , Standiford T , Carmody JB . Potential Implications of COVID-19 for the 2020-2021 Residency Application Cycle . JAMA . 2020 Jul 7 ; 324 ( 1 ): 29-30 . doi : 10.1001 / jama . 2020.8911 . PMID : 32492097 .
5
Murphy B . Applications to medical school up BIG . is it THE “ Fauci effect ”? [ Internet ]. American Medical Association . 2020 [ cited 2021Aug1 ]. Available from : https :// www . ama-assn . org / residents-students / preparing-medical-school / applications-medical-school-big-it-fauci-effect
6
Marcus J . ‘ Fauci effect ’ drives record number of medical school applications [ Internet ]. NPR . NPR ; 2020 [ cited 2021Aug1 ]. Available from : https :// www . npr . org / 2020 / 12 / 07 / 942170588 / fauci-effect-drives-record-number-of-medical-school-applications
Akhila Ankem is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine .
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