Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing online teaching on pre-clinical medical education

• DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04967-x
• Publication Date: 2024-01-17T10:02:23Z
• Authors: Houman Goudarzi; Masahiro Onozawa; Makoto Takahashi
• Keywords: Pandemic; Affect

Abstract Background Major disruptions and changes in education have occurred worldwide as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic ensuing shift from in-person to online education. However, effect such on medical education, its magnitude, learning domains impacted by rapid not been adequately addressed, particularly with regard objective assessment approaches. Methods Second-year students enrolled our Medical English Course between 2019 2021 were recruited Hokkaido University, Japan ( N = 321) participate this study. We evaluated potential impact teaching styles academic performance before (2019; face-to-face) during (2020; online; 2021; online) pandemic. examined three styles––in-person (2019), (2020), combination these (2021) using: (i) subjective self-reported general skills, including reading, writing, listening, speaking; (ii) terminology scores, evidence-based medicine (EBM) final written exam scores. Results In-person significantly improved listening speaking skills p < 0.001). This trend was observed for writing an course 2020 With combined method, reported significant improvements all four skills. In assessments, post-test versus pre-test styles, we found that did adversely affect gain knowledge course. Additionally, find any differences across applied regarding EBM skill levels. It is noteworthy taking courses had higher score (mean ± SD; 82.8 8.2) than (78.6 8.8) (79.7 12.1) styles. Conclusions study, online/combined showed better outcomes compared face-to-face preclinical clerkship. Although current results need be replicated larger scale, can continue evolve post-pandemic students. schools institutions should consider incorporating courses, especially into their curricula future improve effectiveness, accessibility, flexibility