Pharmacy students’ perspective on remote flipped classrooms in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Educational Technology
• Higher Education

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid shifts to remote learning environments.
• Flipped classroom models were adapted for online delivery, presenting unique pedagogical challenges.
• Understanding student perceptions is crucial for optimizing remote pharmacy education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore pharmacy students' perceptions of remote flipped classrooms in Malaysia.
• To identify learning experiences and areas for improvement in online pharmacy education.
• To inform future educational strategies for remote learning environments.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative approach using inductive thematic analysis.
• Focus group discussions with 20 Bachelor of Pharmacy students.
• Data analysis using NVivo software with emergent coding.

Main Results:

• Students valued the flexibility of remote learning materials.
• Communication barriers and technological issues (e.g., internet connectivity) were significant challenges.
• Difficulties were noted in remote skill-based learning (labs, clinical exams), and prolonged isolation led to fatigue.

Conclusions:

• Remote flipped classrooms offer flexibility but require addressing communication and technological hurdles.
• Enhancing technological support, communication strategies, and virtual simulations is recommended.
• Balancing learning methods and supporting student well-being are essential for effective remote pharmacy education.