European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Ample research has been published lately exploring the strengths and weaknesses of online teaching in medical education but very few have reported the students’ perception towards this shift. The current study was designed to evaluate the perception of medical undergraduates in Northern India of online teaching and their readiness and limitations towards its adoption. The knowledge summarized henceforth would help in identifying potential areas of improvement leading to an upgradation in the quality of online teaching and better medical education.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey in the form of a pre-validated self-administered Google form questionnaire consisting of 23 questions was carried out for a duration of two months. All medical undergraduate students (>18 years) studying in various academic years in three largest medical colleges in Jaipur, Rajasthan, willing to be a part of the study were invited to participate.
Results: After initiation of e-teaching, an enhancement in learning and knowledge was reported by around one-third respondents. 21.15% students were satisfied with e-learning, 27% recommended that e-learning methods should not be used at all and 44% suggested that e-learning methods may be regularly used in future.
Conclusion: Online teaching comes with its own set of merits and demerits. The students have provided a very mixed response to its utility. However, most agree that when imparted efficiently, it may prove to be an asset in imparting better medical education.