Students’ initial perspectives on online learning experience in China during the COVID-19 outbreak: expanding online education for future doctors on a national scale

Abstract Background During the early stage of COVID-19 outbreak in China, most medical undergraduate programs have to eventually embrace the maneuver of transferring to nearly 100% online-learning as a new routine for different curricula. And there is a lack of empirical evidence of effective medical education curriculum that has been completely implemented in an online format. This study summarizes medical students’ perspectives regarding online-learning experience during the COVID-19 outbreak and presents reflection on medical education. Methods From February 21st to March 14th, 2020, the authors conducted survey of a nationally representative sample of undergraduate medical students from 90 medical schools in China. Participant demographics and responses were tabulated, and independent sample t-tests as well as multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of demographic characteristics, prior online learning experience, and orientation with students’ perspectives on the online learning experience. Results Among 118,030 medical students participated in the survey (response rate 52.4%), 99,559 provided valid data for the analysis. The sample is fairly nationally representative. 65.7% (65,389/99,559) supported great orientation and 62.1% (61,818/99,559) reported that they were satisfied with the ongoing online-learning experience. The most common problem students would encounter was the network congestion (76,277/99,559; 76.6%). Demographics, learning phases, and academic performance were associated with online-learning engagement and perceptions. Formal orientation and prior PU (perceived usefulness of online learning) were significantly positively associated with the satisfaction and evaluation of the online learning experience (p < 0.001). Conclusions Data from this national survey indicates a relatively positive role of online learning as a formal teaching/learning approach in medical education. Considerations should be made regarding such application in aspects of students’ different learning phases. We suggest that further policy interventions should be taken from technological, organizational, environmental, as well as individual aspects, to help improve the outcome of online learning for future doctors.

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Experience with forced transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Students’ cognitive performance and their perceptions of teaching

The Asia Pacific Scholar ◽

10.29060/taps.2021-6-3/oa2377 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 45-55

Author(s):

Nathalie Khoueiry Zgheib ◽

Ahmed Ali ◽

Ramzi Sabra

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Online Learning ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Education ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Survey Questions ◽

Rapid Transition ◽

Performance And Evaluation

Introduction: The forced transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical education significantly. Methods: In this paper, the authors compare the performance of Year 1 and 2 classes of medical students who took the same courses either online (2019-2020) or face-to-face (2018-2019), and compare their evaluation of these courses. The authors also present results of three survey questions delivered to current Year 1 medical students on the perceived advantages and disadvantages of online learning and suggestions for improvement. Results: Performance and evaluation scores of Year 1 and 2 classes was similar irrespective of the mode of delivery of the course in question. 30 current (2019-2020) Year 1 students responded to the survey questions with a response rate of 25.4%. Some of the cited disadvantages had to do with technical, infrastructural and faculty know-how and support. But the more challenging limitations had to do with the process of learning and what facilitates it, the students’ ability to self-regulate and to motivate themselves, the negative impact of isolation, loss of socialisation and interaction with peers and faculty, and the almost total lack of hands-on experiences. Conclusion: Rapid transition to online learning did not affect student knowledge acquisition negatively. As such, the sudden shift to online education might not be a totally negative development and can be harnessed to drive a more progressive medical education agenda. These results are particularly important considering the several disadvantages that the students cited in relation to the online delivery of the courses.

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Online Learning Using Google Classroom: Undergraduate Medical Students and Paediatric Residents Perspectives in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health ◽

10.9734/ijtdh/2020/v41i1830376 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 8-15

Author(s):

I. E. Yarhere ◽

I. O. Obuzor ◽

E. Fomsi

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Online Learning ◽

Medical Students ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Electric Energy ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Internet Availability ◽

Learning Platforms

Schools in Nigeria were shut down and lectures stopped altogether. The capacity of the Nigerian educational environment to carry out these online interactions may be stretched thin with many foreseeable challenges. Objectives: To identify the current familiarity and use of online classroom platforms by medical students and Paediatric residents, and to identify the barriers to its use for medical education. Methods: A descriptive comparative study design using a semi-structured online questionnaire Google survey of 128 medical students and residents in training in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital assessing demographics, availability of tools for online learning and application. Results: Both groups had high familiarity, but low use, of Google classroom, and preferred mobile devices to laptops. There was high familiarity 90.6%, but low use 42.2%, of Google classroom and the ease of using Google classroom for interphasing or interacting between learners and facilitators was affected by Internet availability, Pearson correlation, 0.185, p = 0.037, but not electric power availability, Pearson correlation, 0.135, p = 0.133. Conclusions: There is an overall high awareness of a range of the Google classroom LMS platform by both medical students and residents. However, constant electric energy supply, availability of internet and competence in preparing multimedia presentations and uploading these for assessment may enhance the use of online learning platforms in Nigeria for undergraduate and post graduate medical education.

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Mobile Technology in E-Learning for Undergraduate Medical Education on Emergent Otorhinolaryngology�Head and Neck Surgery Disorders: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.9237 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Li-Ang Lee ◽

Shu-Ling Wang ◽

Yi-Ping Chao ◽

Ming-Shao Tsai ◽

Li-Jen Hsin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Cognitive Style ◽

Mobile Technology ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Neck Surgery ◽

Percentage Change ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

E Learning

BACKGROUND The use of mobile technology in e-learning (M-TEL) can add new levels of experience and significantly increase the attractiveness of e-learning in medical education. Whether an innovative interactive e-learning multimedia (IM) module or a conventional PowerPoint show (PPS) module using M-TEL to teach emergent otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS) disorders is feasible and efficient in undergraduate medical students is unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the impact of a novel IM module with a conventional PPS module using M-TEL for emergent ORL-HNS disorders with regard to learning outcomes, satisfaction, and learning experience. METHODS This pilot study was conducted at an academic teaching hospital and included 24 undergraduate medical students who were novices in ORL-HNS. The cognitive style was determined using the Group Embedded Figures Test. The participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to one of the two groups matched by age, sex, and cognitive style: the IM group and the PPS group. During the 100-min learning period, the participants were unblinded to use the IM or PPS courseware on a 7-inch tablet. Pretests and posttests using multiple-choice questions to evaluate knowledge and multimedia situational tests to evaluate competence were administered. Participants evaluated their satisfaction and learning experience by the AttrakDiff2 questionnaire, and provided feedback about the modules. RESULTS Overall, the participants had significant gains in knowledge (median of percentage change 71, 95% CI 1-100, P<.001) and competence (median of percentage change 25, 95% CI 0-33, P=.007) after 100 min of learning. Although there was no significant difference in knowledge gain between the two groups (median of difference of percentage change 24, 95% CI −75 to 36; P=.55), competence gain was significantly lower in the IM group compared with the PPS group (median of difference of percentage change −41, 95% CI −67 to −20; P=.008). However, the IM group had significantly higher scores of satisfaction (difference 2, 95% CI 2-4; P=.01), pragmatic quality (difference 1.7, 95% CI 0.1-2.7; P=.03), and hedonic stimulation (difference 1.9, 95% CI 0.3-3.1; P=.01) compared with the PPS group. Qualitative feedback indicated that the various games in the IM module attracted the participants’ attention but that the nonlinearly arranged materials affected their learning. CONCLUSIONS Using M-TEL for undergraduate medical education on emergent ORL-HNS disorders, an IM module seems to be useful for gaining knowledge, but competency may need to occur elsewhere. While the small sample size reduces the statistical power of our results, its design seems to be appropriate to determine the effects of M-TEL using a larger group. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02971735; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02971735 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6waoOpCEV)

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Medical Students' Perception Towards E-learning During COVID 19 Pandemic in a high Burden Developing Country

10.21203/rs.3.rs-46982/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

MOHAMED DAFFALLA AWADALLA ◽

MOHAMED Soud MOHAMED ◽

Omaima Ibrahim ◽

Moawia Elhassan ◽

MOHAMMED MOHAMMED

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Online Education ◽

Limited Resource ◽

Learning System ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Technical Problems ◽

Resource Setting ◽

Medical Undergraduate ◽

E Learning

Abstract Background: In High-income countries, many academic institutions are using e-learning during COVID 19 Pandemic. However, in limited resource countries, like Sudan, shifting towards E-learning require many adjustments to be made in order to make sure the e-learning is held in a proper manner, as best as possible. This study was undertaken to assess medical students’ perception towards implementing E-learning during COVID 19 Pandemic and to highlight difficulties of E-learning implementation in a limited-resource setting. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between 10 to 25 May 2020 among the undergraduate medical students at the Faculty of medicine, University of Gezira, Sudan. A predesigned online-based questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The total numbers of 358 medical undergraduate students responded to the survey and completely fill the electronic questionnaire. The majority (87.7%) of student agreed that, the closure of university is an essential decision to control spread of the COVID-19 infection. Approximately two-third (64%) of student perceived that E-learning is the best solution during COVID 19 lockdown. Level of student in the university and residence has strong relation to students’ opinion regards start the online education. Internet bandwidth and connectivity limitation, Unfamiliarity with E-learning system, Technical support limitation and time flexibility in case of technical problems during online exams and Lack of face-to-face interaction were the factors considered by medical students to be against the E-learning implementation.Conclusion: Majority of medical students had a positive perception towards E-learning. However, there are many challenges considered as inhibitory factor for utilizing electronic technologies for medical education. We recommend that challenges of E-learning in our setting should be systematically evaluated and that effective strategies should be developed to overcome their inhibitory effects.

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Community based medical education: A learning experience of Pakistani Undergraduate Medical Students at Medical Camps.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2021.28.12.6165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (12) ◽

pp. 1857-1861

Author(s):

Zahid Kamal ◽

Muhammad Mohsin Ali ◽

Manaqibb Zain Ali ◽

Muhammad Naeem Rustam ◽

Saeed Zafar Khan

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Skill Learning ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Community Based

Objective: To determine impact of community based Medical Education on learning of undergraduate medical students. Study Design: Non-comparative, Prospective study. Setting: Irfania Ophthalmic Medical Camp, Lahore. Period: July 2019. Material & Methods: 70 students participated in a 4 hour interactive session, where they took a focused history, performed relevant clinical examination, and counseled patients regarding their disease. At the end, feedback was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 23, with mean ± SD determined for continuous variables and frequency with percentage for categorical variables. Results: Majority of the participants were female fourth year medical students. 97.1% found the camp system more efficient for learning, while 94.3% thought it should be included in future ophthalmic curricula. 81.5% of the participants were of the opinion that the camp had had a positive impact on their communication skills regarding taking focused history and counseling patients. Conclusion: In a country like Pakistan with a high burden of ophthalmic diseases and a developing medical curriculum, medical camps are essential for training and skill learning for undergraduate medical students, and should be included in the medical curriculum.

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Association between medical students’ prior experiences and perceptions of formal online education developed in response to COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in China

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041886 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e041886

Author(s):

Cixiao Wang ◽

A’na Xie ◽

Weimin Wang ◽

Hongbin Wu

Keyword(s):

Online Learning ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Education ◽

Learning Experiences ◽

Perceived Usefulness ◽

Clinical Practices ◽

Prior Learning ◽

Learning Modes ◽

The Impact

Objectives(1) Understanding the characteristics of online learning experiences of Chinese undergraduate medical students; (2) Investigating students’ perceptions of ongoing online education developed in response to COVID-19 and (3) Exploring how prior online learning experiences are associated with students’ perceptions.DesignStudents’ familiarity with online learning modes and corresponding perceived usefulness (PU) according to their previous experiences were investigated using an online survey. The survey also collected data on students’ perceptions through their evaluation of and satisfaction with current online learning.SettingIn response to the educational challenges created by COVID-19, medical schools in China have adopted formal online courses for students.ParticipantsThe questionnaire was sent to 225 329 students, of whom 52.38% (118 080/225 329) replied, with valid data available for 44.18% (99 559/225 329).MethodsPearson correlations and t-tests were used to examine the relationship between familiarity and PU. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the impact of prior learning experiences and its interactions with gender, area, learning phase and academic performance on students’ perceptions.ResultsStudents’ PU had a significant positive correlation with their familiarity with online learning modes (p<0.01). Students’ evaluation of and satisfaction with their current online education were positively associated with their familiarity (β=0.46, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.48, p<0.01; OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.14, p<0.01) with and PU (β=3.11, 95% CI 2.92 to 3.30, p<0.01; OR 2.55, 95% CI 2.37 to 2.75, p<0.01) of online learning. Moreover, the higher the students’ learning phases, the lower the associations between PU and students’ evaluation of and satisfaction with ongoing online education.ConclusionsMedical students in China have experiences with various online learning modes. Prior learning experiences are positively associated with students’ evaluation of and satisfaction with current online education. Higher learning phases, in which clinical practices are crucial, and high academic performance led to lower evaluation and satisfaction scores.

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Use of simulation in teaching haematological aspects to undergraduate medical students improves student’s knowledge related to the taught theoretical underpinnings

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-02709-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Laila Alsuwaidi ◽

Jorgen Kristensen ◽

Amar HK ◽

Saba Al Heialy

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Evaluation Framework ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Educational Method ◽

Clinical Vignettes ◽

Simulation Centre

Abstract Background Simulation is an educational method which has several modalities and applications. In the last few decades Simulation-Based Medical Education (SBME) has become a significant influence in medical education. Despite the recognized potential of simulation to be used widely in support of healthcare education, there are no studies focused on the role of simulation in teaching haematology. Moreover, the reaction level is the most commonly reported in medical education. This study evaluates, at two levels of Kirkpatrick’s model, the effectiveness of incorporating SBME in teaching haematological aspects to medical students. Methods A total of 84 second year medical students from two cohorts received theoretical components of Haematopoietic and Immune System in 4 credits course, delivered using lecture approach. First cohort students (n = 49) participated in interactive learning tutorials to discuss clinical vignettes. Second cohort (n = 35) students participated in simulation sessions where the tutorial’s clinical vignettes were developed to clinical simulation scenarios conducted in the simulation centre. The potential influence of the simulation in learning enhancement was evaluated using Kirkpatrick’s Evaluation Framework. Results The students rated the simulation sessions highly and found them to be a valuable learning experience. The category performance summary, generated by the assessment platform, demonstrates improvement in the student’s knowledge enhanced by the SBME. Conclusions Adaptation of SBME in teaching haematological aspects is a feasible way to improve the student’s knowledge related to the taught theoretical foundations. SBME has the potential to enhance the undergraduate medical curriculum and it is expected, in the near future, to be an increasingly recommended educational strategy to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

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Perspectives of Indian medical students on e-learning as a tool for medical education in the country: a quantitative study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20203931 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. 3610

Author(s):

Neel N. Lawande ◽

Trusha D. Kenkre ◽

Nuala A. Mendes ◽

Lydia M. Dias ◽

Amit S. Dias

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Student Perspective ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Indian Medical ◽

E Learning ◽

Medical Colleges

Background: In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical colleges resorted to e-learning to continue teaching; giving us a unique opportunity to explore the potential of this tool, understand the student perspective, help improve its structure and assess its scope for future use.Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted across Indian medical colleges using Google forms. The questionnaire consisted of sections on e-learning experience, technological readiness, effects of COVID-19 on education and attitude towards e-learning.Results: From 32 medical colleges in India, 556 undergraduate medical students participated in the study. The results showed that 93.3% students were exposed to e-learning, from which 99% were introduced to it following the COVID-19 pandemic-imposed lockdown. The study reported the pros and cons of e-learning for medical education. E-learning methods were deemed fit for theory lectures, but wasn’t preferred for clinics and demonstrations. Students believed that e-learning- preferably short live online classes, together with efficient portals, provision of offline videos and discussion of clinical cases- had great scope to support the traditional methods of teaching.Conclusions: According to the students, e-learning has immense potential and is an irreplaceable ally to the traditional method of medical education, even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

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A guide for evaluation of online learning in medical education: a qualitative reflective analysis

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-02752-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nourhan F. Wasfy ◽

Enjy Abouzeid ◽

Asmaa Abdel Nasser ◽

Samar A. Ahmed ◽

Ilham Youssry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Online Learning ◽

Best Practice ◽

Online Courses ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Organizational Capacity ◽

Expert Consensus ◽

Educational Effectiveness ◽

Education Community ◽

Rapid Shift

Abstract Background With the strike of Covid-19, an unprecedented rapid shift to remote learning happened worldwide with a paradigm shift to online learning from an institutional adjuvant luxury package and learner choice into a forced solo choice. This raises the question of quality assurance. While some groups have already established standards for online courses, teaching and programs yet very little information is included on methodology of their development and very little emphasis is placed on the online learning experience. Nevertheless, no work has been done specifically for medical education institutions. Aim To develop a set of descriptors for best practice in online learning in medical education utilizing existing expertise and needs. Methods This work utilizes a qualitative multistage approach to identify the descriptors of best practice in online learning starting with a question guided focus group, thematic analysis, Delphi technique and an expert consensus session done simultaneously for triangulation. This was done involving 32 institution in 19 countries. Results This materialized into the development of a set of standards, indicators, and development of a checklist for each standard area. The standard areas identified were organizational capacity, educational effectiveness, and human resources each of which listed a number of standards. Expert consensus sessions identified the need for qualification of data and thus the development of indicators for best practice. Conclusion Standards are needed for online learning experience and their development and redesign is situational and needs to be enhanced methodologically in axes that are pertaining to the needs of the education community. Taking such axes into consideration by educators and institutions will lead to planning and implementing successful online learning activities, while taking them into consideration by the evaluators will help them conduct comprehensive audits and provide stakeholders with highly informative evaluation reports.

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Searching for the erosion of empathy in medical undergraduate students: a longitudinal study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041810 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e041810

Author(s):

José Manuel Blanco ◽

Fernando Caballero ◽

Santiago Álvarez ◽

Mercedes Plans ◽

Diana Monge

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Cognitive Empathy ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

School Settings ◽

School Year ◽

School Of Medicine ◽

Medical Undergraduate ◽

Sociocultural Differences

ObjectiveTo analyse the trajectory of empathy throughout the degree programme of medicine in a Spanish school of medicine.DesignLongitudinal, prospective 5-year study, between October 2014 and June 2019.SettingStudents from a Spanish university of medicine.ParticipantsTwo voluntary cohorts of undergraduate medical students from two different school years were invited to participate (n=135 (cohort 1, C1) and 106 (cohort 2, C2) per school year). Finally, a total number of 174 students (102 (C1, 71.6% women) and 72 (C2, 70.8% women) students, respectively) were monitored for 5 years. Each cohort was divided in two subcohorts of paired and unpaired students that were analysed to check possible social desirability bias.Primary outcome measureThe Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE).ResultsThe cohort of 102 students (C1) monitored between their first and fifth years of study (71.6% women) showed an improvement among paired women of 2.15 points in total JSE score (p=0.01) and 2.39 points in cognitive empathy (p=0.01); in the unpaired female cohort the increase was of 2.32 points (cognitive empathy) (p=0.02). The cohort of 72 students (C2) monitored between their second and sixth years of study (70.8% women) displayed a cognitive empathy increase of 2.32 points (p=0.04) in the paired group of women. There were no significant differences between paired and unpaired results for either cohort. Empathy scores among men did not decrease.ConclusionsThe empathy of medical students at our school did not decline along grade years. In fact, it improved slightly, particularly cognitive empathy, among women. This paper contributes to enlarge data from Europe, where longitudinal studies are scarce. It supports the idea that there may be global geo-sociocultural differences; however, more studies comparing different school settings are needed.

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