Perception towards Online Teaching-learning in Medical Education among Medical Students during COVID-19 Outbreak in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The outbreak of coronavirus disease in Nepal led medical colleges to suspend in person teaching-learning activities and ultimately online platform was introduced to deliver the contents of medical education. The objective of this study was to describe the perception of medical students towards online teaching-learning introduced during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal. METHODS: An online survey using a descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out among 515 undergraduate medical students currently enrolled in medical colleges in Nepal. Ethical approval was sought from Nepal Health Research Council to conduct this study, and digital informed consent was taken from study respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire in Google form was utilized to collect data. The link of the Google form was sent to the potential respondents through email and social media. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to analyze data in Stastical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Ethical approval was sought from Nepal Health Research Council to conduct this study, and digital informed consent was taken from study respondants. RESULTS: The overall score of perception of online teaching-learning was 17.61±7.19, which indicated many problems in this method of teaching-learning. The mean score of perception of online teaching-learning was found to be different across sex, location of enrolled medical colleges, having a personal electronic device, having an internet connection at residence, having separate room/space for attending online classes, and self-rated computer skills. Moreover, only 28 (5.4%) of respondents had perceived online teaching-learning as a better method of delivering content of medical curricula. CONCLUSIONS: Surveyed medical students in Nepal were found to perceive many problems in online teaching-learning. Moreover, management and faculty members need to take the necessary measures for enhancing the online teaching-learning quality.

Impact of COVID-19 on the elderly

While in most developed countries an adult of age 65 years and above is considered an elderly, in Nepal, the age limit is 60 years. There will be two billion people in old age category worldwide by 2050. This rise in number of ageing group presents many challenges;one such challenge was faced during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic. The aim of this narrative review is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on different aspects of life of the elderly. The impact of COVID-19 on the health of the elderly is greater compared to other age groups. Studies from around the world have showed that the risk of severity for COVID-19 is higher among the elderly. Many elderlies who got infected or died were healthcare personnel working in the frontline. Measures like physical distancing, movement restriction and home quarantine, all contributed to the increase in social isolation, especially for the elderly. This in turn could cause problems with their physical, mental, and cognitive health. Additionally, in lack of a steady source of income and insufficiency of savings, many face financial crises. Despite efforts to help the old people, they have been enduring the harsh outcomes of the pandemic. To support and respect elderly, their dignified life, clear policy interventions and proper implementations are a must.