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

Neel N. LawandeMBBS student, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, Indiahttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6149-3721
Trusha D. KenkreMBBS student, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, India
Nuala A. MendesMBBS student, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, India
Lydia M. DiasDepartment of Microbiology, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, India
Amit S. DiasDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20203931

Keywords:

COVID-19, E-learning, India, MBBS, Medical colleges, Online education

ABSTRACT

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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