Stress among dental students transitioning from remote learning to clinical training during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A qualitative study

Author(s)

Nordi Sasso Garcia, Patricia Petromilli ; Ferreira, Franciele de Souza ; Pazos, Julia Margato

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION; v. N/A, p. 7-pg., 2022-07-03.

Abstract

Objectives To identify dental students' perceptions of stress over returning to in-person clinical training after remote learning required from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods This was a qualitative observational study. The sample was composed of undergraduate students (n = 47) in the final year of Sao Paulo State University, School of Dentistry, Araraquara program. The data were collected using a questionnaire created in Google Forms. The data was analyzed using the discourse of the collective subject technique. Results More than half of the students (63.8%) reported experiencing stress in the transition from remote learning to clinical training. According to the students, the main causes of this stress were fear of COVID-19 infection or contamination (31.5%) and insecurity in their clinical treatment skills after having gone so long without training (25.5%). Half of the students surveyed (51.1%) exhibited at least one stress-related symptom. For most of the students (70.2%), remote learning was insufficient to prepare them for returning to in-person clinical activities. Performing laboratory pre-clinical activities prior to clinical training was the suggestion most frequently cited by the students (25.5%), as a way to avoid some of the stress associated with their return to in-person learning. The main coping strategies adopted by the students upon their return to in-person learning were making the most of their clinical training, planning cases, and studying relevant topics before treating patients (48.9%). Conclusion The dental students perceived high levels of stress during the transition from remote learning to clinical training. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/15609-7 - Stress in dental students during the transition between pre-clinical and clinical training: qualitative study
• Grantee: Franciele de Souza Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation