Perceptions and Experience of Medical Students
Regarding E-learning during COVID-19
Lockdown: A Cross-sectional Study
Published: March 1, 2022 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2022/54803.16051
Manisha Bhardwaj, Surender Kashyap, Deepak Aggarwal, Rajesh Bhawani
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College and Hospital, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India.
2. Vice Chancellor, Atal Medical and Research University Campus, Shri Lal Bahadur Medical College and Hospital, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India.
3. Associate Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, Punjab, India.
4. Professor and Head, Department of Internal Medicine, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College and Hospital, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Correspondence
Dr. Surender Kashyap,
Vice Chancellor, Atal Medical and Research University Campus, Shri Lal Bahadur
Medical College and Hospital, Mandi-175008, Himachal Pradesh, India.
E-mail: surenderkashyap@hotmail.com
Introduction: Medical education has been adversely affected during Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Imparting medical education through e-platforms exclusively was a novel experience both for students and teachers. Even though online classes have been ongoing since almost one and half year, not much data on perception and experience about e-learning among medical students is available from India.
Aim: To evaluate perceptions, experiences and challenges faced by medical students regarding e-learning during lockdown period owing to COVID-19 along with their future preferences.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a questionnaire based cross-sectional survey regarding use of e-learning during COVID-19 pandemic among 340 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSc-NUR) students. It was conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College and Hospital Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India from May 2021 to July 2021. Students perceptions’ of e-learning were assessed using the validated Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) model and responses were measured on 5-point Likert scale. Quantitative data was expressed by mean and standard deviation and significant level of differences between means were tested by Student’s t-test (unpaired). Proportions were compared by Chi-square test or Fisher’s-exact test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Out of 400 students, 340 responded of which 225 were females. Of the total 340 students, (n=333; 97.9%) respondents, had an idea of e-learning and more than half (n=188; 55.3%) had used any type of e-learning platform prior to onset of COVID-19. More number of MBBS students had used e-learning than BSc-NUR students (55% v/s 41%; p=0.033). Cell phone was the most common device (n=324; 95.3%) used. The quick sharing of material (n=258; 76%) and flexibility (n=233; 68.5%) were top rated benefits of e-learning. The key disadvantages were suboptimal practical training (n=222; 65.3%) and lack of face-to-face interactions (n=146; 43%). Majority of students voted for traditional learning (n=156; 45.9%) closely followed by blended learning (n=140; 41.2%).
Conclusion: The students had an overall positive attitude towards e-learning and wanted to continue e-learning alongside traditional teaching i.e., blended learning. Exploration of merits and barriers to e-learning during pandemic can act as a guide to implement blended learning in medical curriculum for enhanced teaching/learning experience.
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