Preferences, perceptions and barriers to E-learning among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India

Authors

  • Deodatt M. Suryawanshi Department of Community Medicine, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Raghuram Venugopal Department of Community Medicine, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204383

Keywords:

Barriers, E-learning, Medical students, Perceptions, Preferences

Abstract

Background: Following the imposition of the nationwide lockdown on 24th March 2020, many medical institutions adopted E-learning as a method to ensure continuity in medical education. Understanding perceptions and preferences of medical students and addressing their barriers are essential for a seamless learning experience.

Methods: Data was collected using a semi-structured online questionnaire after obtaining informed consent. A total of 296 students of the second year MBBS and pre-final year were recruited using non probability sampling. Data pertaining to 286 students who returned the questionnaire was entered in Microsoft excel and analysed using SPSS version 21.

Results: Majority of the participants 179 (62.5%) were female. Only 18 (6.2%) had advanced computer and internet usage skills. 138 (48.2%) students showed preference for blended mode of teaching. 203 (71.0%) of students showed preferences for non-interactive learning methods like slide share and YouTube videos. 180 (62.9%) cited that lack of personal interaction with the teacher followed by access to internet 67 (23.4%) and lack of hardware 53 (18.5%) as barriers in the e-learning. Significant differences were observed between female and male students in the teaching methods with regards to ease of understanding (p=0.009) and use of non-interactive platforms for e leaning (p=0.03).

Conclusions: The study identified blended learning as an acceptable method of learning medical curriculum. Schedule flexibility, ease of understanding and absence of monotony of classroom teaching made e-learning more acceptable. lack of teacher-student interaction, lack of accesses to high speed internet and hardware were barriers perceived to e-learning among medical students.

 

Author Biography

Deodatt M. Suryawanshi, Department of Community Medicine, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India

Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine

References

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Published

2020-09-25

How to Cite

Suryawanshi, D. M., & Venugopal, R. (2020). Preferences, perceptions and barriers to E-learning among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 7(10), 4100–4104. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204383

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Section

Original Research Articles