Predominant aspects of knowledge and practical skills among medical students with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

BACKGROUND: Social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted most learning methods into online courses, especially for medical skills education. However, the effects of online courses on medical skill education amongst medical students are still arguable. The study aims to analyse medical students' knowledge, attitude, practice and satisfaction towards medical skills between online and offline courses. METHOD: We performed a case-control study conducted among 533 medical students with online (as a case group, n = 288) and offline courses (as a control group, n = 245). We evaluated three fundamental medical skills, including history taking [HT], lung physical examination [LPE], and heart physical examination [HPE]. We tested the knowledge and skills among students through theory and practical examinations. Students' attitudes and satisfaction were assessed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: The scores for knowledge and practical skills among the online group were significantly higher (p = 0.016, p = 0.004, respectively). In comparison, the scores for the students' attitudes and satisfaction were substantially lower (p = 0.000, p = 0.003, respectively) compared to the control group. Most of the students in both groups passed the exam (case vs. control = 81.94%; 83.27%, respectively). Males were the only factor associated with a higher rate of passing the examination (OR 0.42, 95% CI [0.27-0.67], p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Online learning could be an alternative approach on improving student's knowledge and practice towards medical skill especially amidst COVID-19 pandemic, however further consideration on student's attitude and satisfaction are mandatory to achieve appropriate competence as future general practitioner.

Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Psychotherapies, such as mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), are currently needed to tackle mental health problems. Online MBIs have become promising since face-to-face interventions are limited during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdown and social distancing. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of online MBIs in improving mental health, mainly depression, anxiety, and stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines on several databases for eligible studies up to October 17, 2021. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 tool. Effect sizes were presented as standardized mean difference (Hedges' g) between the online MBIs and control groups at post-test and follow-up using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials involving 868 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled adherence rate to online MBIs was 94% (95% CI = 91% to 98%). The findings revealed that online MBIs had a statistically significant small to moderate effect in reducing depression (g = -0.32; 95% CI = -0.49 to -0.14; I2 = 0%), a small effect on anxiety (g = -0.25; 95% CI = -0.43 to -0.06; I2 = 27%), and a moderate effect on stress (g = -0.62; 95% CI = -1.09 to -0.16; I2 = 83%). In addition, significant small effects at follow-up were observed for depression (g = -0.26; 95% CI = -0.48 to -0.04; I2 = 0%) and anxiety (g = -0.28; 95% CI = -0.48 to -0.08; I2 = 0%), but not for stress. CONCLUSION: Online MBIs have beneficial effects on mental health, particularly depression, anxiety, and stress, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the limitations of the current study, future trials that specifically consider potential effect influencing factors, longer follow-up evaluation, and methodological quality are warranted.