Medical students' perception of paid E-learning

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Learning
• Student Resources

Background:

• Medical students increasingly use external paid digital educational resources.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-learning in medical education.
• This study aimed to inform evidence-based decisions regarding paid e-learning resources for students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the utilization and perceived benefits of paid e-learning resources among medical students.
• To understand the financial implications and student opinions on the costs of these resources.
• To provide data for medical schools to make informed decisions about supporting student access to digital tools.

Main Methods:

• An online questionnaire was distributed to all medical students at a Turkish medical school.
• Statistical analysis was performed on the compiled responses.
• Participants were surveyed on demographics, study habits, resource usage, perceived benefits, and cost concerns.

Main Results:

• 87% of 119 surveyed students used paid e-learning for exams, with 71.5% reporting score improvements.
• The average perceived cost rating was high (8.6/10).
• Only 27% paid fees, while 40% utilized free demo sessions, indicating cost barriers.

Conclusions:

• Paid e-learning resources are integral to modern medical education, aiding curriculum supplementation and research.
• Cost remains a significant barrier, preventing equitable access and full benefit realization for many students.
• Medical institutions must adopt evidence-based strategies to support students in leveraging digital educational tools effectively.