Impact of COVID-19 on Learning Behavior of Undergraduate Medical Students during Ophthalmology Module; Lessons Learnt

Abstract

This qualitative study was carried out at Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah; KSA to explore the impact of COVID-19 and its related lockdown on the learning undergraduate medical students from December 2019 till July 2020. This qualitative exploratory study, utilizing online focus group discussions to explore the psychological impact of COVID-19 on student’s learning at Ophthalmology department of Batterjee medical college, Jeddah; KSA. Ethical approval was taken from the college and purposive convenient sampling technique was used to collect data. Data was transcribed and analyzed by using thematic analysis. The study identified multifold impact of COVID-19 on student’s learning faced by the 4th year undergraduate medical students during an Ophthalmology module. Social isolation and shift to online mode of teaching and learning were the main challenges that affected student’s learning in many ways. Four major effects of COVID-19 explored in the study were; psychological effects, impact of social disconnect with the peers and patients, impact on learning behavior changes and moment of myself.  Results can be used by the medical educators to understand student’s mind and needs to enhance their academic participation, learning and performance especially in current circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic