The impact of COVID-19 on Italy's healthcare graduates: Psychological reactions and organizational adaptations
Keywords:
Covid-19, Education, Healthcare undergraduates, survey;, healthcare graduates, psychological impact, organizational challenges, italy, health professionals, pandemic response, medical educationAbstract
Background and aim: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Italian new graduates in the health professions. This study investigated the impact of the pandemic on graduates' experiences with anxiety, depression, clinical placements, and employment readiness.
Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted with 200 new graduates in the health professions. The survey collected data on graduates' experiences with anxiety, depression, clinical placements, and employment readiness.
Results: A total of 396 students voluntarily completed the questionnaire, most of whom were Radiographers (61.71%). The survey results showed that there were significant disruptions in practical training for new graduates with 54.66% of students interrupting their internship for at least three months. Graduates also reported changes in their attitudes to patient care with 62.97% of students noting changes in approach with a score of 3 or more on a 5-point Likert scale. A significant number had difficulty finding work that matched their gained abilities; in fact, 48.11% of those who completed the questionnaire stated that they did not feel prepared to confront the world of work, with a 5-point Likert score of 3 or below.
Conclusions: This study underscores the need for universities and healthcare institutions to adapt training programs and support structures to address the unique challenges faced by health profession students during pandemics. Key recommendations include maximizing practical training opportunities, enhancing mental health support services, and offering comprehensive career counseling. These measures are crucial for successful workforce transitions. Universities and healthcare institutions must proactively acknowledge and mitigate the challenges faced by new graduates to ensure their preparedness for the workforce and the delivery of high-quality patient care.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Angie Devetti, Chiara Martini, Andrea Demeco, Gioele Santucci, Irene Gertrud Rigott, Angelo Di Naro, Antonella Paccone, Elisa Vetti, Rosa Rendina, Marco Nicolò, Altin Adraman, Cristian Bonelli, Oscar Brazzo, Antonio Dore, Andrea Spedicato, Marco Vecchietto, Ruben Foresti, Cosimo Costantino, Alessandro Tombolesi
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