1. The impact of COVID-19 on health professions student's perceptions, future education and career aspirations and confidence in public health responses.
- Author
-
Gamber M, Henderson D, and Ruelas DM
- Subjects
- Humans, Female, Male, Adult, Surveys and Questionnaires, Students, Health Occupations psychology, Students, Health Occupations statistics & numerical data, Young Adult, SARS-CoV-2, Pandemics, Universities, United States epidemiology, COVID-19 psychology, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 prevention & control, Career Choice, Public Health
- Abstract
Objective : To understand student perceptions, interest and intentions of pursuing public health as a result of COVID-19 during educational experiences. Participants: Two hundred seventy-seven students completed the survey representing 38 states and two countries. Methods : An online survey was administered to current undergraduate and graduate students at two institutions. Results : The difference between the ease of attaining a public health job for nonpublic health and public health students was significant prior to ( p = .002) and during the pandemic ( p = .015). There was an increase of 5.8% in student interest in continuing education in public health. 13% of respondents agreed the pandemic had been handled appropriately at the national level and 33% at the state level, and 57% expressed distrust of future responses. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a positive influence of COVID-19 on the desire to seek further education and careers in public health, highlights a lack of confidence in effective future pandemic responses.
- Published
- 2024
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