Comparison of stressors and coping strategies in medical students before and during Covid 19 pandemic- An internet- based study

High level of stress associated with learning of students in medical schools has been reported widely. Pandemic has resulted on issues of quality of life and stress in whole mankind. Medical students with drastically changing the place of stay, livlihood and mode of medical training also faced such adversity. The present internet based study was planned to assess the various factors which might lead to stress and the coping strategies used during the early years of medical course before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The most common stressor was vastness of curriculum before COVID-19 and lack of motivation to studies was the most common stressor during COVID-19. Moreover, coping strategy adopted by medical students are also altered. Although most commonly used coping strategy before the COVID-19 was looking at positive side of life, during COVID-19 was spending time on social media. In addition, source of stress and coping strategy varied depending upon gender, space of stay and parent’s profession. As compared to previous studies and before and during Covid 19 pandemic, sources of stress and coping strategies shifted towards lack of motivation in students and use of social media more frequently. Such shift may lead to dire consequences both on academic performance and addiction to social media. This information may be useful for educational planners, administrators of medical institutes, psychiatrists, guardians of medical students and medical students themselves.