STUDENTS PERSPECTIVE ON ONLINE MEDICAL EDUCATION DURNG LOCKDOWN AS A RESULT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: In this study the perceptive of undergraduate medical students regarding e-learning were explored in the MBBS students across various medical colleges in Pakistan during COVID pandemic. Study type, settings and duration: It was descriptive study conducted as multisite survey in medical students of Pakistan. The study was conducted from 1st October to 30th October 2020. Methodology: A questionnaire was developed and disseminated via what’s app to MBBS students of medical institutes in Pakistan. The data was cleaned and study sample was selected from ten medical colleges with maximum response rates. The responses of 10 students from each professional year were selected randomly for even distribution of students in the MBBS course. Out of 500 students, 492 students’ replied with valid data. The percentages of the responses were calculated and data was analyzed graphically. Results: The mean age of respondents was 22± 2.1. 64.4% of respondents were female and 43.6% male. Only 5 % of total students were of the opinion that online teaching was good substitute for learning than face to face sessions. 43% students responded that ZOOM software was major platform used for e-learning during lockdown. Internet connectivity was the major hurdle in e-learning and health issues in family (27%) was major stress factor. 31% students responded that online classes were not effective and 29 % responded that they were about 25 % effective while 21% were of the opinion that these were 50% effective as compared to face to face campus learning. Conclusion: The perception of medical students regarding online teaching was not promising in our study. Most of the indicators were negative.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Medical education
• E-learning
• Students perception