The COVID-19 pandemic has put a hold on the Silent Mentor Programme (SMP); this pause has not only caused unprecedented challenges for the delivery of medical education but has forced changes in the programme ceremony sessions. We aimed to describe the psychological impact and experiences of family members of silent mentors during the COVID-19 pandemic using qualitative interviews. Many expressed feelings of remorse and unrest about the unprecedented delay of the SMP. The delay increased negative emotions particularly among some elderly family members; however, there was no prominent negative effect on their functional health and well-being. Several participants relayed the belief that the soul cannot rest until the body receives a proper burial while some worried about the deterioration of the physical condition of the mentors. In conclusion, findings provide insights into the importance of not overlooking the mental health implications of delaying the SMP in future outbreaks or crises.

COVID-19 大流行暂停了沉默导师计划 (SMP)；这种暂停不仅给医学教育的提供带来了前所未有的挑战，而且还迫使项目仪式进行了改变。我们旨在通过定性访谈来描述 COVID-19 大流行期间沉默导师的家庭成员的心理影响和经历。许多人对 SMP 史无前例的延迟表示懊悔和不安。延迟增加了负面情绪，尤其是在一些年长的家庭成员中；但是，对他们的功能健康和福祉没有显着的负面影响。几位与会者转述了这样一种信念，即在尸体得到适当的埋葬之前，灵魂无法安息，而一些人则担心导师的身体状况会恶化。综上所述，