Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Education; Challenges for Faculty and Medical and Paramedical Students in a Medical College of South Kashmir.

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease primarily involving the respiratory system.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization proclaimed COVID-19 a pandemic. One of the important strategies
taken to prevent the spread of the disease has been social distancing around the world, Educational institutions have been
closed for the safety of both students and communities. Social distancing measures hamper the students’ learning process
as they are prevented from assembling in laboratories, lecture halls, or small-group rooms and engaging in person with
their peers and instructors. Although medical school is an adult schooling experience, the absence of interactive sessions
affects not only Medical education but all education curricula that require hands-on experience or internship. The most
significant response to the pandemic has been to shift teaching-learning and assessment online. Using standardized
patients and facilitators, schools have also attempted to shift clinical learning and teaching. Both professors and students
face obstacles when it comes to online teaching, learning, and assessment.
Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Government Medical College Anantnag,
department of Physiology between October 2021 and December 2021 among 240 Medical, Paramedical students and
faculty members of GMC Anantnag. A questionnaire was distributed, by means of email to all the faculty members,
medical students, and paramedical students.
Results: The reported challenges to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic at this institution included issues
regarding in-person communication (19.5%), use of technology tools (12.5%), experience in online education (16.6%), time
management (29.1%), students’ evaluations of faculty (24.0%). In addition, we reported that 20% of participants did not
have fourth generation internet access. 45% had an unsatisfactory experience with the medical education program and
40% do not have availability of advanced technology.
Conclusion: COVID-19 has had an impact on many aspects of medical education as well as on medical students. The
degree of effect was especially influenced by the type of institution attended. When things return to normal, proper
planning and adequate rehabilitation will be needed to mitigate and possibly reverse the effects of COVID-19 on students’
health and welfare.