Graduating Medical Students' Perceptions of the COVID-19 Pandemic's Impact on Their Medical School Experiences and Preparation for Careers as Physicians: A National Study.

PURPOSE:The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented changes to the medical education learning environment. The graduating class of 2021 was particularly affected. To better understand how students were affected, the authors explored positive and negative experiences described by graduating U.S. medical students. METHOD:Using the conceptual framework of affordances, the authors examined narrative responses to 2 new open-ended questions on the Association of American Medical Colleges 2021 Graduation Questionnaire in which graduating students described the pandemic's positive and negative effects on their medical school experiences and career preparation. Conventional content analysis was used to identify affordances and themes in responses. RESULTS:Of 16,611 Graduation Questionnaire respondents, 8,926 (54%) provided narrative responses. Of these 8,926 respondents, responses from 2,408 students (27%) were analyzed. Students described positive and negative perceptions of affordances, centering around virtual learning, social connection, and transition to residency. Fewer in-person and increased virtual clinical rotations offered students flexible scheduling, allowing them greater opportunity to explore academic and professional interests. Additionally, students' sense of isolation from their medical school was alleviated when schools exercised intentional open communication and student involvement in decision-making. Although many described a diminished sense of preparedness for residency due to limited access to in-person clinical experiences and to assessing residencies largely through virtual away rotations and interviews, the sense of community, adaptability, and resiliency gained through varied activities reinforced students' professional identity and commitment to medicine during a time of much uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS:This national exploration of students' pandemic experiences highlights what students value as fundamental elements of medical education and student support and describes how innovation can improve long-standing practices. These findings, guided by students' insights, can help inform the work of educational leaders as they consider which innovations should remain to continue enhancing student learning, engagement, and well-being.