Ripple effects of COVID-19 lockdown pertaining to clinical skills among undergraduate medical students of Karachi
Asma Shaikh1, Mawara Amin2, Azhar Uddin2
1Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
The coronavirus disease-2019 lockdown significantly decreased medical students' clinical skills efficiency due to lack of in-person training. Patient exposure is crucial for developing confidence and improving clinical skills.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Clinical Skills Development
- Public Health
Background:
- The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated unprecedented public health measures, including lockdowns.
- These measures significantly disrupted routine activities, including medical education, impacting the development of essential clinical skills in undergraduate students.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the clinical skills of undergraduate medical students.
- To assess the effectiveness of e-learning modalities versus in-person training in maintaining clinical competency.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted with 383 undergraduate medical students from Karachi-based institutions.
- Data was collected from 3rd, 4th, and final-year students between July 3 and August 3, 2021.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.
Main Results:
- 84.2% of students reported decreased clinical skills efficiency due to the inability to train in person.
- 41% of students indicated that exam topics were not adequately taught via remote learning.
- 72.6% of students experienced difficulties in clinical skills examinations.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 lockdown severely disrupted medical education, highlighting the limitations of e-learning for clinical skills.
- Sufficient patient exposure is vital for enhancing medical students' confidence, reducing hesitation, and refining clinical skills.
Objective:
To determine the outcomes of coronavirus disease-2019 lockdown pertaining to clinical skills among undergraduate medical students.
Methods:
The cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted after approval from the Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, at 6 public and private medical education institutions in Karachi from July 3 to August 3, 2021, and comprised undergraduate students from the 3rd, 4th and final academic years. Data was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.
Results:
Of the 383 subjects, 260(67.9%) were females and 123(32.1%) were males. The overall age range was 20-25 years. There were 145(37.9%) students from the 3rd year, 154(40.2%) from 4th and 84(21.9%) from the final year. Among them, 251(84.2%) accepted having decreased efficiency in clinical skills because they were not being able to train in person, 157(41%) claimed that certain topics related to clinical study were given in exams even though they were not taught, and 164(72.6%) faced difficulty in exams related to clinical skills.
Conclusions:
Coronavirus disease-2019 caused disruption in routine life, and medical education was not an exception. E-learning modality was found to be insufficient, and patient exposure elevates confidence, eliminates hesitation, and improves clinical skills.
