Transition of preferences, perception and barriers towards E learning during COVID-19 pandemic among medical students in India -A Mixed method study

Introduction: Though E learning among medical students has been well received in other parts of the globe, challenges to implementation can only be documented through a longer duration study which can truly fathom the learning experiences of medical students and how their perceptions, preferences and barriers change over a period of time. Objectives: To assess the transition of preferences, perceptions and barriers among medical students towards E-learning during the six months and to explore the perception towards E learning using qualitative method Method: ology: The present study used Mixed Method approach to find out the transition of e learning experiences through their perception, preferences and barriers among medical students over the period of 6 months from April to Nov 2020. A total of 296 students belonging to the second year MBBS and Prefinal year were recruited using complete enumeration method.286 students returned the questionnaire in phase 1 and 277 students in Phase 2. The investigators conducted Focused group discussion (FGD) in two batches of 10 students. Results: : There was a significant increase of 20.4% (p =0.007) in students’ preference to classroom teaching in Phase 2 as compared to phase 1. Lack of personal interaction was perceived as a barrier in phase 1 by 180(62.9%) students, only 71(25.6%) students perceived it as a barrier in phase 2. There was significant increase in participants 96 (34.6%) in Phase 2 as compared to phase 1 (19.9%) who replied negatively about its inclusion in the curriculum (p =0.0003). In phase two there was a significant increase in number of students as compared to Phase 1 who perceived that lack of access to internet and data availability as a barrier to E learning (p=0.002). Continuity of education during pandemic time and distractive environment with lack of motivation was quoted by many students when asked about merits and demerits of e learning in FGD. Conclusion: The present study raises certain important questions regarding the utility of E learning during extended periods of lockdown which needs to be addressed if we have to adopt this new method of learning. Any new method of learning has to consider students preferences and perceptions if it has to yield satisfactory outcomes with respect to knowledge and skill acquisition.