Medical students’ pattern of self-directed learning prior to and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic period and its implications for Free Open Access Meducation within the United Kingdom

• DOI: 10.3352/jeehp.2021.18.5
• Publication Date: 2021-04-06T05:21:28Z
• Authors: Jack Barton; Kathrine Sofia Ra...; Amber Elyse Corrigan; Ella Hubbard; Antonia Round; Greta Portone; Ashvin Kuri; Tien Tran; Yu Zhi Phuah; Katie Knight; Jonathan Round
• Keywords: Male; Students, Medical; medical students; Access to Information; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Pandemics; learning; LC8-6691; SARS-CoV-2; access to information; 4. Education; R; COVID-19; united kingdom; Special aspects of education; United Kingdom; 3. Good health; Cross-Sectional Studies; covid-19; Self-Directed Learning as Topic; Medicine; Female; Research Article; Education, Medical, Undergraduate

Purpose: Self-directed learning (SDL) has been increasingly emphasized within medical education. However, little is known about the SDL resources medical students use. This study aimed to identify patterns in medical students’ SDL behaviors, their SDL resource choices, factors motivating these choices, and the potential impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on these variables.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey comprising multiple-choice, ranked, and free-text response questions were disseminated to medical students across all 41 UK medical schools between April and July 2020. Independent study hours and sources of study materials prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared. Motivational factors guiding resource choices and awareness of Free Open Access Meducation were also investigated.Results: The target sample was 75 students per medical school across a total of 41 medical schools within the United Kingdom (3,075 total students), and 1,564 responses were analyzed. University-provided information comprised the most commonly used component of independent study time, but a minority of total independent study time. Independent study time increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (P<0.001). All sub-cohorts except males reported a significant increase in the use of resources such as free websites and question banks (P<0.05) and paid websites (P<0.05) as a result of the pandemic. Accessibility was the most influential factor guiding resource choice (Friedman’s μrank=3.97, P<0.001).Conclusion: The use of learning resources independent of university provision is increasing. Educators must ensure equitable access to such materials while supporting students in making informed choices regarding their independent study behaviors.