Impact of Covid-19 on student retention

Results of major survey by Health Education England

Published: 19 February 2021 Students

The impact of Covid-19 on healthcare student retention has been examined in a major survey by Health Education England.

More than 9,700 nursing, midwifery and AHP students were questioned in June 2020 during wave one of the pandemic, including 4,222 AHPs, of whom 461 were diagnostic radiography students and 134 studying therapeutic radiography.

AHP students were the group least likely to have considered leaving their course, at 27% of AHP respondents. Those that had considered leaving cited academic concerns, being overwhelmed and stressed, and doubting their clinical ability. These factors were felt more strongly among BAME respondents compared to white students.