Satisfaction levels of students toward online teaching and assessment in a medical college in North India during COVID-19 related lockdown

ABSTRACT

Background: Medical colleges had to adopt online teaching methods after the imposition of worldwide lockdown due to COVID related pandemic. It is important to understand satisfaction levels among medical students regarding online teaching, to improve online teaching methods in future. Aim and Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction levels among medical students with regard to online teaching and assessment program and factors associated with low satisfaction levels. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional survey was conducted on 600 MBBS students. Various online teaching methods were implemented April 2020 onward. This survey was sent to the students in July 2020. Satisfaction levels toward various online teaching and assessments were evaluated using a five point Likert scale. Results: A total of 446 MBBS students responded to our survey. We found 1st year of MBBS curriculum (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.55, P < 0.05), teachers’ inability to explain theory concepts (AOR = 2.47, P < 0.01), teachers not keeping the class interactive (AOR = 1.81, P < 0.01), student unable to hear the teacher adequately (AOR = 1.77, P < 0.01), student being inattentive in class (AOR = 2.06, P < 0.01), and non-availability of high speed internet connectivity (AOR = 1.85, P < 0.001) to be significantly associated with students not being overall satisfied with online teaching. Conclusion: Online platforms proved to be relevant for teaching theory but usefulness for clinical or practical education was not found to be adequate.