Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on medical education

Background: Medicine is one of the few academic disciplines that cannot be taught in the distance education mode. Hands-on practice for clinical skills and competency is critical in medical education. Although this pandemic has offered new learning modes such as teleconsultation, videoconferencing, virtual simulations, and digital podcasts, how much actual knowledge transfer and skill gain will be achieved, is unanswered. Aims and Objectives: The present study has been planned to understand the impact of COVID on medical education and to identify the factors which promoted or hindered learning during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 261 willing MBBS students from various colleges of Tamil Nadu after obtaining Institutional Ethical committee clearance using a pre-validated structured online questionnaire through Google form link in online social platforms through “Voluntary opt in” method of sampling. Results: About 22.6% of the study participants were affected by COVID-19. About 46% of the participants family members suffered from COVID and all of them accepted that it significantly affected their academics. About 71.6% experienced anxiety/depression. About 93.5% were addicted to social media during class hours. About 88.1% welcomed “flipped/blended learning”. More than 90.8% reported that they missed skill-based learning/Primary health care training. About 80.8% positively felt that they got more duration for preparing exams. About 89.3% found that practical exams were challenging. Conclusion: Not only have we witnessed the importance of having a robust health-care system, but the pandemic has created a critical need to transform various aspects of medical education especially to a model of blended learning of online and offline methods to enable a better academic environment so as to reflect the changing medical landscape.

Practical Report of the First-Year Experience Medical Students Using ICT : Trial of Online Disability Simulations / 医学教育

Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan, offers “Early Exposure to Medical Practice” in the first semester for first-year medical students to learn about patient-centered care as well as the real-world conditions and issues faced in community medical practice. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic during the past two years, we planned and implemented online training, including some disability simulations, which mostly aimed to prevent the spread of infection. The students who completed these training courses reported that the online training had certain advantages over hands-on training ; the two activities implemented were not only effective in preventing infection but also had other benefits that only an online environment could provide. Herein, we report the results and some of the merits of these practices in 2021.

Estudiantes universitarios en tiempos de covid-19: clases en línea y vida cotidiana / Being a college student in COVID-19 times: online classes and daily life / Ser um estudante universitário em tempos de Covid-19: aulas online e vida quotidiana

Resumen (analítico) Se abordan los ajustes que hicieron estudiantes de psicología en su vida cotidiana para continuar con sus clases en línea. Desde un enfoque de psicología cultural y una investigación de corte cualitativo, se analizan los significados que las y los estudiantes plasmaron en cuestionarios abiertos respondidos en línea. Los resultados muestran el trabajo de reelaboración práctico y simbólico que realizaron las y los participantes para redefinir qué significa ser estudiante en tiempos de pandemia. Se exponen las emociones que tuvieron, las estrategias empleadas para responder a las clases en línea y las experiencias con el servicio de psicología brindado a adolescentes de secundaria. Concluimos que durante la pandemia por covid-19 las clases en línea implicaron para las y los estudiantes retos nuevos en el reacomodo de sus vidas cotidianas.

Abstract (analytical) The paper addresses the adjustments made by psychology students in their daily lives to continue with their online classes. From a cultural psychology approach and a qualitative research approach, we analyze the meanings that students expressed in open questionnaires answered online. The results show the practical and symbolic elaboration work carried out by the participants to redefine what it means to be a student in times of pandemic. The emotions they had, the strategies used to respond to the online classes, and the experiences with the psychology service provided to secondary school adolescents are presented. We conclude that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the online classes implied new challenges for the students in the rearrangement of their daily lives.

Resumo (analítico) O artigo aborda os ajustamentos que os estudantes de psicologia fizeram na sua vida quotidiana para continuar com as suas aulas online. A partir de uma abordagem psicológica cultural e de uma investigação qualitativa, analisamos os significados que os estudantes expressaram em questionários abertos respondidos em linha. Os resultados mostram o trabalho prático e simbólico de reelaboração realizado pelos participantes para redefinir o que significa ser um estudante em tempos de pandemia. São apresentadas as emoções que tinham, as estratégias utilizadas para responder às aulas em linha e as experiências com o serviço de psicologia prestado aos adolescentes do ensino secundário. Concluímos que durante a pandemia de Covid-19, as aulas em linha proporcionaram aos estudantes novos desafios na reorganização da sua vida quotidiana.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Perception and Barriers of E-Learning among medical students : A Cross-Sectional Study

A learning system based on formalized teaching but with the help of electronic resources is known as E-learning. Countries around the world had imposed large-scale physical distancing measures and movement restrictions often referred to as ‘lockdowns’, to slow COVID?19 transmission by limiting contact between people. Students around the country had to undergo E-learning. The study is conducted to assess the knowledge and perception about E-learning among medical students, to assess the factors which act as a barrier to effective learning via E-learning platforms. A pre-tested questionnaire is sent to the undergraduate students of Osmania Medical College. 117 students were included in the study. Data was collected in Google Forms and analyzed using Google sheets. 91.5% of students had adequate knowledge and only 43.6% of students had a positive attitude towards E-learning. There is no significant difference between men and women in knowledge and attitude.

The Transition towards Virtual Teaching Learning Environment during COVID Pandemic : Medical Educator’s Perspective

Introduction : We are moving towards a technically advanced Medical Education. However, effectiveness of online Teaching, Learning (T/L) remained unknown until COVID-19 pandemic.Aim : This study was planned to assess the perception of e-educators towards online T/L, the challenges and possible solutions during pandemic. Methodology : A mixed method cross-sectional study was conducted among 126 medical educators through online google survey from July to September, 2020 in a Tertiary Heath Care Institute & 2 neighbouring medical college. Result : Non response rate was 32%, 72.2% were males, 63.9% were between 31 to 50 years of age, 58% were having 10 or more years teaching experience. 36.2% were from basic sciences, 69.5% were holding higher academic post. 61% preferred combination of face to face and e-learning Although online classes were helpful in terms of 63.8% convenience, (54%) flexibility, 77.5% felt difficulties teaching and assessing skills domain. The major challenges encountered were technical glitches, no active participation and suggested solutions were technical assistance, formative assessments and use of new T/L, assessment tools. Conclusion : Although the change was negatively perceived, it’s inevitable. Training of faculties, sensitization of students and conducive environment is needed to combat the challenges, to improve the e-education system in health profession.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE FOR M.B.B.S STUDENTS FROM NEWLY INTRODUCED ONLINE CLASSES DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

BACKGROUND: The internet becomes “information superhighway”. From its inception, it had grown such that it could be accessed from any part of the world. Conventional classroom teaching had been replaced to some extent by online learning. Almost two years of online classes due to lockdown in Corona virus pandemic, helped the students to understand the future learning methodology. OBJECTIVE:To determine the “take home” message for the M.B.B.S students from online classes. METHODOLOGY: Both live and recorded online classes had been introduced during lockdown period. When medical college opened and students were back to classes a survey was undertaken based on the semi structured questionnaire based on google form. Responses were analyzed with Microsoft excel 365 software. RESULT: 143 out of total 200 students responded (72%). 64% students liked recorded classes, according to them, recorded classes could be accessed at a convenient time (44%), repeat watching helped to clear the concepts (34%), easily accessible (53%), video could be shared among the peer groups (61%). Rest of the students preferred live streaming classes. In their opinion, live classes felt like actual class (75%), could directly interact with friends (66%), asking question directly to the teachers (34%), They tried to include in future the following aspects of online learning to ofline classroom teaching, those were: start peer group learning, sharing the useful contents, improvements of technological knowledge and skills, to maintain discipline in the class- there were take home message for the students after long one year of online classes CONCLUSION: It was clear if proper strategy had been taken and if widespread internet connections would be provided the online classes could be effective as classroom teaching.

Association between voice symptoms and college professors' home working conditions during online classes in times of COVID-19 pandemic / Asociación entre síntomas vocales y condiciones de trabajo en casa durante las clases online en tiempos de COVID-19 de docentes universitarios

Introduction. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching conditions changed around the world from in-person classes to online classes, which also determined changes on teachers' working conditions. Method: Exploratory cross-sectional study with the aim of determining the association between two voice symptoms (vocal fatigue and throat pain) with home working conditions during online classes in times of COVID-19 pandemic. Professors answered an online survey including 27 questions about four components: sociodemographic factors, characteristics of home working, quarantine characteristics, and health conditions (including voice functioning). Results: 177 college professors from Argentina, Colombia, and Chile participated in this study. First, incidence of vocal fatigue, during online classes in times of COVID-19 pandemic, represented around 50%. Although throat pain had a smaller incidence, it was also important (35%). Second, days in quarantine, number of classes per week, people living with during quarantine, and history of vocal fatigue before quarantine were important associated factors of vocal fatigue. Third, important associated factors of throat pain were number of classes per week, level of stress, years of experience, and history of throat pain before quarantine. Conclusion: Similar to pre-COVID-19, vocal fatigue and throat pain were frequently reported voice symptoms among college professors. Associated factors of these symptoms included years of experience, number of classes per week, stress, people living with during quarantine due to COVID-19, and history of voice symptoms. Workplace Health Promotion programs should include activities that facilitate a healthy occupational voice use during and post-COVID-19 pandemic, considering the implications of online teaching on teachers' health and safety

Introducción: Debido a la pandemia del COVID-19, las condiciones de ense-ñanza-aprendizaje cambiaron alrededor del mundo, pasando de clases presen-ciales a clases virtuales, lo que también determinó cambios en las condiciones de trabajo docente. Métodos: Estudio transversal exploratorio que tuvo como propósito determinar la asociación entre dos síntomas de voz (fatiga vocal y dolor de garganta) con las con-diciones de trabajo docente durante las clases virtuales en tiempos de COVID-19. Los profesores diligenciaron una encuesta virtual que incluyó 27 preguntas sobre los siguientes cuatro componentes: factores sociodemográficos, características del tra-bajo en casa, características de la cuarentena, y condiciones de salud (incluyendo funcionamiento vocal). Resultados: 177 profesores universitarios de Argentina, Colombia y Chile parti-ciparon en este estudio. Primero, la incidencia de la fatiga vocal durante las clases virtuales en tiempos de COVID-19 representó alrededor del 50%. Aunque el dolor de garganta tuvo una menor incidencia, también fue importante (35%). Segundo, los días en cuarentena, número de clases por semana, personas con las que vivió durante la cuarentena, y los antecedentes de fatiga vocal antes de la cuarentena estuvieron estadísticamente asociados a la fatiga vocal. Tercero, los factores asociados al dolor de garganta fueron el número de clases semanales, los niveles de estrés, los años de experiencia y los antecedentes de dolor de garganta antes de la cuarentena.Conclusión: Similar a hallazgos previos al COVID-19, la fatiga vocal y el dolor de garganta son síntomas vocales frecuentemente reportados en docentes universitarios. Factores asociados de estos síntomas incluyen años de experiencia, número de clases semanales, estrés, personas con las que vivió durante la cuarentena y antecedentes de estos síntomas vocales antes del trabajo en casa. Los Programas de Promoción de la Salud en los Lugares de Trabajo deben incluir actividades que faciliten el uso ocupacional saludable de la voz durante y después del COVID-19, considerando las implicaciones de la enseñanza virtual en la salud y seguridad de los profesores.

Barriers encountered during online classes among undergraduate nursing students during COVID-19 pandemic in India

Background: The advents of new technologies are providing a variety of effective learning environment. However, many adult students still prefer traditional, academic settings and do not want to take online or hybrid classes.Methods: Present study included cross sectional descriptive survey design which was carried out on 394 undergraduate nursing students. Convenient sampling technique was chosen for selection of samples. A five-point Likert self-structured scale was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data in SPSS.Results: Study findings showed that there were 209 (53%) female participants. Significant difference (p=0.05) was found among participants’ gender and year of study, area of residence, father education, family income and whether they had ever attended online classes. Lack of control over the group was top perceived barrier with highest score (261 marks). Majority of participants (61%) perceived barriers encountered during online classes. Mann Whitney U test showed the significant differences of participants’ perceived barriers among male and female participants by their age, year of study, fathers’ education and family income (p<0.05).Conclusions: As more students are growing up familiar with internet-based learning, many students were still opposing to go with online classes. Barriers explored in the study can limit the acceptance of online classes among undergraduate nursing students. Higher authorities must find the ways for making online education user friendly.