Pharmacy education shift during times of pandemic and collapse: A perspective from a school of pharmacy in Lebanon

Abstract

Introduction: The health and economic crisis in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic has had detrimental effects on many sectors including higher education. This report presents the major changes in teaching/learning undertaken by three departments of the bachelor programme in a school of pharmacy in Lebanon to cope with uncertain times. Description: The educational process was modified from autumn 2019/20 to spring 2020/21, with economical instabilities and the emergence of COVID-19, where regular teaching and summative assessments were completely and forcefully switched to remote and online.    Evaluation: Although a grade trend showed some changes in evaluation with the crisis, grades returned nearly to normal upon adopting the completely online system. Technical support and training for the faculty were required to help cross transitioning periods and maintain the quality of the programme.    Conclusion: The crisis and the pandemic influenced pharmacy education, but gave students and faculty the chance to learn and utilise modern information and communication technology (ICT) educational tools.