The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ views of a career in general practice: a focus group study

I read with interest this study by Hook et al(1) which adds to existing literature exploring student perspectives of remote consultations in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic.(2) Though not discussed, it also follows co-produced research that has quantitatively and qualitatively explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical student enthusiasm for future general practice careers.(3)

Several years after the accelerated transition to more remote consultations in general practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,(4) it is interesting that several perspectives negatively influencing career aspiration appear to persist amongst the UK medical student population.(1) These include increased concerns regarding barriers to learning related to remote working during clinical placements, a more isolated working environment as a result of conducting more remote consultations and the impact of increased use of alternatives to face-to-face consultations on patient experience and the intersection of this with policy making and public perception.(1–3)

In contrast to previous articles,(2,3) concerns relating to patient safety, or about worsening health inequalities as a result of changes in delivery of care were not discussed.(1) I agree with the authors that medical student participants may not have been willing to reflect negatively on the specialty to the early career GPs who facilitated focus groups. The quotes presented at the end of the results(1) suggest that medical students may have instead avoided direct confrontation by invoking others’ opinions (such as the public) as way of projecting their thoughts and feelings while not committing to a personal stance.(5)

Unsurprisingly workload, lifestyle and work–life balance continue to be recognised by students as important considerations in shaping their career choice. Though the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to continue to have a negative impact on students’ perceptions of and enthusiasm for general practice careers, the prospect of delivering care remotely and experience of this does appear to continue to positively influence a minority of students.(1,3)

It is encouraging to see continuing research in this area while medical programmes have expanded training in virtual consulting.(6) There remains a need to evaluate the impact of this on student learning and socialization into primary care.

References
1. Hook Z, Jackson B, Alberti H, et al. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ views of a career in general practice. BJGP Open. Published online July 19, 2024:BJGPO.2023.0257. doi:10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0257

2. Mulvihill C, Cooper J, Pavey J, Laake JP. Remote consultations in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: student perspectives. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2022;98(e2):e88-e89. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139149

3. Laake JP, De Soysa M, Subhaskaran K, et al. Impact of Increased Patient-Clinician Virtual Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Student Enthusiasm for Future General Practice Careers. Fam Med. 2023;55(1):3-11. doi:10.22454/FamMed.55.909451

4. Majeed A, Maile EJ, Bindman AB. The primary care response to COVID-19 in England’s National Health Service. J R Soc Med. 2020;113(6):208-210. doi:10.1177/0141076820931452

5. Bowins B. Psychological Defense Mechanisms: A New Perspective. Am J Psychoanal. 2004;64(1):1-26. doi:10.1023/B:TAJP.0000017989.72521.26

6. Al-bedaery R, Chaudhry UAR, Jones M, Noble L, Ibison J. Undergraduate medical teaching with remote consultations in general practice: a realist evaluation. BJGP Open. 2022;6(3):BJGPO.2021.0185. doi:10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0185