Challenges of online education /distance learning for university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observation from Bangladesh

Abstract Following the spread of COVID-19, online education/distance learning (OE/DL) was opted by the governments across the world. However, many challenges remained unexplored as OE/DL was quite an unfamiliar teaching approach, particularly in Bangladesh. This study was aimed at identifying the major challenges of OE/DL in Bangladesh from the perspectives of students. Data for this web-based cross-sectional study were collected using an e-questionnaire based on Google Form. Out of 451 initial responses, 419 were retained based on some specifications. The univariate analyses identified the financial, technical, and pedagogical issues as major problems. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis suggest a two-factor solution – ‘financial-technical obstacles’ and ‘pedagogical obstacles’ – with overall good reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.881; McDonald’s ω = 0.880). The two-factors, with strong intercorrelation (r = 0.552), meet the criteria of discriminant validity. To overcome the shortfalls of OE/DL in Bangladesh, inclusiveness with sustainable educational and infrastructural approaches was recommended.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Distress of Medical Students in Japan: Cross-sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25232 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshito Nishimura ◽

Kanako Ochi ◽

Kazuki Tokumasu ◽

Mikako Obika ◽

Hideharu Hagiya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

State Of Emergency ◽

Web Based ◽

Subjective Mental Health

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected medical education. However, little data are available about medical students’ distress during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to provide details on how medical students have been affected by the pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 717 medical students participated in the web-based survey. The survey included questions about how the participants’ mental status had changed from before to after the Japanese nationwide state of emergency (SOE). RESULTS Out of 717 medical students, 473 (66.0%) participated in the study. In total, 29.8% (141/473) of the students reported concerns about the shift toward online education, mostly because they thought online education would be ineffective compared with in-person learning. The participants’ subjective mental health status significantly worsened after the SOE was lifted (<i>P</i><.001). Those who had concerns about a shift toward online education had higher odds of having generalized anxiety and being depressed (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% CI 1.19-3.28) as did those who said they would request food aid (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.44) and mental health care resources (OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.07-6.15). CONCLUSIONS Given our findings, the sudden shift to online education might have overwhelmed medical students. Thus, we recommend that educators inform learners that online learning is not inferior to in-person learning, which could attenuate potential depression and anxiety.

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A cross-sectional study of demonstrating expertise and job satisfaction in pharmacists and dietitians working in community pharmacies in Japan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1042844/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Masaki Shoji ◽

Naoki Sakane ◽

Naoki Ito ◽

Keiji Sunayama ◽

Mitsuko Onda

Keyword(s):

Job Satisfaction ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Registered Dietitians ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Two Factors ◽

Overall Job Satisfaction

Abstract Background In Japan, there has been a private-sector initiative to register dietitians in pharmacies. There is not yet an adequate amount of data on the attitudes of dietitians in pharmacies regarding their work. Objectives To assess the attitudes of pharmacists and dietitians working in community pharmacies in Japan about their work, and particularly about demonstrating expertise and overall job satisfaction. Methods We administered a web-based questionnaire to pharmacists and dietitians working in pharmacy branches with registered dietitians at two pharmacy chains that agreed to cooperate. We used our own 7-item questionnaire and compared the scores for each item between pharmacists and dietitians. Results A total of 61 persons (22 pharmacists and 39 dietitians) answered the questionnaire. The item with the highest mean score (standard deviation) for pharmacists was "I feel that I am helpful to patients," at 3.50 (0.74), and for dietitians it was "I have colleagues at my workplace whom I can talk to when I have a problem," at 3.51 (1.00). Conversely, the items with the lowest mean score (standard deviation) were "I am satisfied with my current job" for pharmacists, at 3.14 (0.83), and "I can grow sufficiently as a professional" for dietitians, at 2.41 (0.97). As a result of factor analysis, the seven-item question could be divided into two factors: "demonstrating expertise" and "overall job satisfaction.” The factor-score for "demonstrating expertise" was significantly lower for dietitians than for pharmacists (p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in overall job satisfaction between the two professions (p=0.36). Further research is needed to understand why dietitians find “demonstrating expertise” difficult in pharmacies.

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Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the TeamSTEPPS teamwork perceptions questionnaire to measure teamwork perceptions of Chinese residents: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039566 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e039566

Author(s):

Jinglou Qu ◽

Yaxin Zhu ◽

Liyuan Cui ◽

Libin Yang ◽

Yanni Lai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Chinese Language ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convergent And Discriminant Validity ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Test Retest Reliability

ObjectivesThe purpose of this research was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Perception Questionnaire (T-TPQ) among the Chinese residents.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA clinical hospital of the China Medical University in Liaoning Province, China.ParticipantsA total of 664 residents were enrolled in this research. The valid response rate was 83.0% (664 of 800 residents).Main outcome measuresInternal consistency and test–retest reliability were used to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. The construct validity of the Chinese T-TPQ was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis. Furthermore, the concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity were analysed.ResultsCronbach’s α coefficient of the T-TPQ in Chinese language was 0.923. Except for the communication dimension (0.649), the Cronbach’s α coefficient of all dimensions were satisfactory. The T-TPQ and its five dimensions reported a good test–retest reliability (0.740–0.881, p<0.01). Moreover, the results of the confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the construct validity of the Chinese T-TPQ was satisfactory. All dimensions significantly correlated with the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) teamwork within units dimension and the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) teamwork climate dimension (p<0.01), and the questionnaire showed satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity.ConclusionsThe T-TPQ in Chinese language demonstrated good psychometric characteristics and was a reliable and valid questionnaire to measure the Chinese health professionals’ perception of teamwork. Thus, the Chinese version of the T-TPQ could be applied in teamwork training programmes and medical education research.

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Heat and temperature metacognition awareness inventory: A confirmatory factor analysis

International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE) ◽

10.11591/ijere.v10i2.20917 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 389

Author(s):

Moh. Irma Sukarelawan ◽

Dwi Sulisworo ◽

Jumadi Jumadi ◽

Heru Kuswanto ◽

Siti Anisatur Rofiqah

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

High School Students ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Factor Loading ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Confirmatory Factor

<span lang="EN-US">This cross-sectional study aimed to validate students' metacognition awareness inventory in Heat and Temperature material. A total of 167 public senior high school students in Yogyakarta, Indonesia were selected through convenience sampling technique. The heat and temperature metacognition awareness inventory (HeTMAI) inventory consists of six factors, namely: 1) Knowledge of cognition; 2) Planning; 3) Monitoring; 4) Evaluation; 5) Debugging; and 6) Information management. HeTMAI used a 5-point Likert scale. The data was analyzed using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) method through the Maximum Likelihood approach. All statistics were found to meet acceptance values. The four GOF indices (χ2/df=2.36, CFI=0.97, TLI=0.97, and SRMR=0.06) have supported the fit of the six-factor HeTMAI model. Standardized factor loading (SFL), construct reliability (CR), average variance extracted (AVE) and discriminant values provide evidence that HeTMAI has sufficient convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach's alpha value of 0.96 indicated HeTMAI has very adequate evidence of reliability.</span>

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Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Among the Iranian Public People During COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.728904 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Hamid Sharif Nia ◽

Pardis Rahmatpour ◽

Erika Sivarajan Froelicher ◽

Saeed Pahlevan Sharif ◽

Omolhoda Kaveh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Internal Consistency Reliability ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Persian Version ◽

Two Factors

Background: Several studies indicate a high prevalence of depression around the world during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a valid instrument to capture the depression of an individual in this situation is both important and timely. The present study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) among the public during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.Method: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in the Iranian population (n = 600) from April to July 2020. A two-part online form was used: sociodemographic characteristics and depression items (CES-D). The construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the scale were evaluated.Result: The results of the exploratory factor analysis illustrated two factors with 43.35% of the total variance of the depression were explained. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that this model fits well. Internal consistency reliability was evaluated, and it was acceptable.Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that, in the Iranian sample, this depression scale yielded two factors (somatic and positive affects) solutions with suitable psychometric properties.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Distress of Medical Students in Japan: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/25232 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. e25232 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yoshito Nishimura ◽

Kanako Ochi ◽

Kazuki Tokumasu ◽

Mikako Obika ◽

Hideharu Hagiya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

State Of Emergency ◽

Web Based ◽

Subjective Mental Health

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected medical education. However, little data are available about medical students’ distress during the pandemic. Objective This study aimed to provide details on how medical students have been affected by the pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 717 medical students participated in the web-based survey. The survey included questions about how the participants’ mental status had changed from before to after the Japanese nationwide state of emergency (SOE). Results Out of 717 medical students, 473 (66.0%) participated in the study. In total, 29.8% (141/473) of the students reported concerns about the shift toward online education, mostly because they thought online education would be ineffective compared with in-person learning. The participants’ subjective mental health status significantly worsened after the SOE was lifted (P<.001). Those who had concerns about a shift toward online education had higher odds of having generalized anxiety and being depressed (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% CI 1.19-3.28) as did those who said they would request food aid (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.44) and mental health care resources (OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.07-6.15). Conclusions Given our findings, the sudden shift to online education might have overwhelmed medical students. Thus, we recommend that educators inform learners that online learning is not inferior to in-person learning, which could attenuate potential depression and anxiety.

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The view of medical students on the anatomy course given by distance education during Covid-19 pandemic

Anatomy (International Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy) ◽

10.2399/ana.20.820414 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 202-209

Author(s):

Ozan TURAMANLAR ◽

Hilal GÜZEL

Keyword(s):

Distance Learning ◽

Medical Students ◽

Learning Strategies ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anatomy Education ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Face To Face ◽

Face To Face Learning

Objectives: The Covid-19 pandemic has caused serious problems all around the world. Face-to-face education in universities had shifted to the distance learning including medical schools. Our aim in this study was to understand the problems faced by medical students during pandemic period, as well as to determine the possible benefits of distance learning through a web-based questionnaire system, and to compare it with face-to-face learning. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a structured internet-based questionnaire. The sample of the study consists of 335 medical students who volunteered to participate in the study. The students took the anatomy course remotely during the Covid-19 and had access to the internet-based questionnaire. Results: Medical students thought that the online theoretical and practical anatomy lectures were not sufficient for their medical profession. Most of the students were opposed to providing practical lectures in the form of distance learning. Students were not satisfied with the anatomy lectures they took during this period. Conclusion: This study showed that the medical students did not look positively towards distance learning. Further studies should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of various distance learning strategies for better anatomy education.

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How can learning effects be measured in Balint groups? Validation of a Balint group questionnaire in China

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-03030-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kurt Fritzsche ◽

Lili Shi ◽

Johanna Löhlein ◽

Jing Wei ◽

Yue Sha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Discriminant Validity ◽

Factor Model ◽

Cognitive Learning ◽

Group Processes ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Group Session ◽

Good Reliability ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Balint Groups ◽

Balint Group

Abstract Background Balint groups aim to reflect doctor-patient relationships on the basis of personal cases. This study reports the validation of a questionnaire aimed at the identification of learning processes among Balint group participants in China. Methods This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted during Balint group sessions in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. A heterogeneous sample of different professional groups was intended to adequately capture the reality of Balint work in China. After a Balint group session, the participants were asked to complete the Mandarin version of the Balint group session questionnaire (BGQ-C) and the group questionnaire (GQ), an internationally validated instrument to assess central dimensions of therapeutic relationships during group processes. Results Questionnaires from n = 806 participants from 55 Chinese Balint groups, predominantly comprising individuals with a medical background, were analyzed. Most participants were female (74.6%), and the average age was 34.2 years old (SD = 9.4). The results indicated good to very good reliability (Cronbach’s α = .70 to .86; retest rs = .430 to .697). The verification of the construct validity of the BGQ-C showed satisfying convergent (rs = .465 to .574) and discriminant validity (rs = -.117 to -.209). The model was tested with a confirmatory factor analysis of a three-factor model (standardized root mean square residual = .025; comparative fit index = .977; Tucker-Lewis index = .971). The 3 empirically identified scales resulted in good model fit with the theoretical dimensions of Balint work postulated in the literature: “reflection of transference dynamics in the doctor-patient relationship”, “emotional and cognitive learning” and “case mirroring in the dynamic of the group”. Due to the high correlations between the factors, a single-factor model was possible. A group comparison between the German and Chinese samples showed different loadings across cultures. Conclusions The BGQ-C is a quick-to-complete, item-based measuring instrument that allows the relevant dimensions of Balint group work to be recorded. This study suggests good psychometric properties of the Chinese version. Nevertheless, it must be assumed that the composition of constructs in the two countries is different.

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Awareness of the preventive measures against Covid -19 spread among small shop owners

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl1.3564 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽

pp. 1144-1150

Author(s):

Muralidharan V A ◽

Gheena S

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Positive Perception ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Small Shop ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Covid -19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered strain of coronavirus. As there is no vaccine discovered, the only way to prevent the spread is through following the practice of social isolation. But prolonged isolation may also lead to psychological stress and problems. The objective of the survey was to assess the knowledge and awareness of preventive measures against Covid 19 amongst small shop owners. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted amongst the small shop owners. A structured questionnaire comprising 15-17 questions had been put forth to assess the Covid 19 related knowledge and perception. The shopkeepers were contacted telephonically and responses recorded. The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistics. Although the majority of the population had a positive perception about the preventive measures against the Covid spread, 36% of the shopkeepers were not aware of the preventive measures against the Covid spread. This study found optimal knowledge and perception of the preventive measures against Covid spread among the shopkeepers but misinformation and misunderstanding still prevailing. The shopkeepers are crucial in the prevention of the spread of Covid 19 and educating them might aid us in the fight against Covid- 19.

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Psychometric validation of the Moroccan version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in colorectal Cancer patients: cross-sectional study and systematic literature review

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-07793-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yacir El Alami ◽

Hajar Essangri ◽

Mohammed Anass Majbar ◽

Saber Boutayeb ◽

Said Benamr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Quality ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life is mainly impacted by colorectal cancer which justified the major importance addressed to the development and validation of assessment questionnaires. We aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Moroccan Arabic Dialectal version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Moroccan version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 on colorectal cancer patients from the National Oncology Institute of Rabat, in the period from February 2015 to June 2017. The QLQ-C30 was administered to 120 patients. Statistical analysis included reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity as well as known-groups comparisons. Results In total, 120 patients with colorectal cancer were included in the study with 38 (32%) patients diagnosed with colon cancers. Eighty-two patients (68%) had rectal cancer, among which 29 (24%) patients with a stoma. The mean age of diagnosis was 54 years (+/− 13.3). The reliability and validity of the Arabic dialectal Moroccan version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 were satisfactory. [Cronbach’s alpha (α =0.74)]. All items accomplished the criteria for convergent and discriminant validity except for question number 5, which did not complete the minimum required correlation with its own scale (physical functioning). Patients with rectal cancer presented with bad Global health status and quality of life (GHS/QOL), emotional functioning as well as higher fatigue symptoms compared to patients with colon cancer. The difference between patients with and without stoma was significant for diarrhea and financial difficulty. Conclusions The Moroccan Arabic Dialectal version of the QLQ-C30 is a valid and reliable measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with colorectal cancer.

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