COVID-19 Impact on Pathology Education Program in Iran
Shabnam Mashhadi1, Alireza Abdollahi1, Fereshteh Ameli1
1Department of Pathology, Imam Khomeini Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Pathology
|December 17, 2024
Summary
Pathology residency education in Iran adapted to online formats during the pandemic, proving successful. However, resident satisfaction with this new online pathology education was influenced by personal and professional factors.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Pathology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused global disruption, impacting Iran and necessitating changes in medical education.
- Social distancing measures and redeployment of residents to clinical duties disrupted traditional pathology residency training.
- Face-to-face pathology education faced significant challenges, requiring innovative solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the benefits and drawbacks of the adapted pathology residency education in Iran.
- To understand resident experiences with online learning during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was distributed to all pathology residents across Iran.
- A 30-item questionnaire was developed to gather data on the modified educational approaches.
Main Results:
- Sixty pathology residents participated, with 88.3% being female and 70% over 30 years old.
- Overall satisfaction with online platforms (Skyroom, Adobe Connect) was 65%, and 51.7% found webinars suitable.
- Residents reported significant personal life impacts (50%), work concerns (48.3%), high exposure (78.3%), infection rates (55%), and fear of family transmission (90%).
Conclusions:
- Modifications to pathology residency education in Iran were effective in maintaining educational continuity.
- Resident satisfaction with online pathology education is influenced by individual social and educational circumstances.
