Perceptions of Medical Students on Distance Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from Bahrain

Yasin I Tayem; Amer J Almarabheh; Eid Abo Hamza; Abdelhalim Deifalla

doi:10.2147/AMEP.S357335

Perceptions of Medical Students on Distance Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from Bahrain

Adv Med Educ Pract. 2022 Apr 21:13:345-354. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S357335. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Yasin I Tayem¹, Amer J Almarabheh², Eid Abo Hamza^{3

4}, Abdelhalim Deifalla⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain.
² Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain.
³ Department of Learning and Developmental Disabilities, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain.
⁴ Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Education, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
⁵ Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain.

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sudden shift from face-to-face to distance learning. We explored medical students' views of online learning during this pandemic at the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of students in years two, three and four (n= 559) using an electronic questionnaire. Data were collected from April 10 to May 5, 2021. The survey included three domains: behavioral, affective, and cognitive. We also analyzed the association between students' perceptions and certain demographic and institutional factors.

Results: The number of respondents was 311 (response rate: 55.6%; 27.7% males, 72.3% females). Participants were generally satisfied with distance learning (54.6%), although they had less motivation (46.3%) and required more effort (32.2%). Most students preferred distance learning for theoretical parts, and face-to-face approach for practical components (73.3%). Participants reported that distance learning, improved interaction with instructors and classmates (45.6% and 48.9%, respectively), small group learning (47.6%), independent learning (75.3%) and problem-solving skills (44.7%). The students were comfortable with online assessment (60.1%), and reported improved achievement in written (42.1%) and practical examinations (46%), but not in professional skills grades (21.6%). There was no association between students' perceptions and gender (p= 0.079), year of study (p= 0.28) or attendance of live or recorded sessions (p= 0.904), but there was a positive association with the availability of WiFi (p< 0.01) and attendance of college-organized activities (p< 0.0001).

Conclusion: Distance learning was successfully implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were generally satisfied with distance learning and online assessment, but they had concerns about the clinical skills learning. After the pandemic is over, theoretical components of the curriculum can be delivered using distance learning, whereas hands on elements should be offered face-to-face. However, those curricular reforms will likely need investing in the information technology infrastructure.

Keywords: COVID-19; distance learning; medical students; perceptions.