A Qualitative Study of Medical Students' Perspectives on Distance Learning During COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Online Learning
• Graduate Entry Medicine

Background:

• The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated rapid changes in medical education.
• Distance learning strategies were implemented to ensure continuity of education for medical students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key themes for educators regarding distance learning implementation.
• To understand the experiences of 2nd year graduate entry medical students with online learning during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative phenomenological study.
• Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed.
• Thematic analysis using the Braun and Clarke framework was applied.

Main Results:

• Student learning experiences revealed the central theme of adaptability.
• Key factors influencing adaptability included technology, environment, study skills, and human interaction.
• The shift to online learning presented unique challenges for both students and educators.

Conclusions:

• Adaptability is crucial for medical students navigating curriculum changes and distance learning.
• Distance learning is expected to be a permanent feature in undergraduate medical training.
• Educators should consider student experiences to enhance online learning environments.