What Implications can be Drawn from Physicians’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Continuing Education?
10.11307/mededjapan.54.6_543
- VernacularTitle:What Implications can be Drawn from Physicians’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Continuing Education?
- Author:
Satoshi OZEKI
1
;
Hiroyasu INOUE
1
;
Sachiko KASAMO
1
;
Seiji MATSUMOTO
1
Author Information
1. Institutional Research Office, Asahikawa Medical University
- Keywords:
continuing education;
COVID-19;
physicians’ experiences
- From:Medical Education
2023;54(6):543-548
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Since its outbreak in 2019, COVID-19 has significantly impacted human lives worldwide. It has caused millions of deaths globally, as well as profound confusion and turmoil among medical professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical professionals have realized the challenges of controlling infectious diseases and the need to update their knowledge and skills to manage them better. This study examines physicians’ experiences of COVID-19 through an alumni survey conducted at Asahikawa Medical University faculty of medicine in Japan (final sample: 3,105 alumni since the university’s establishment in 1973). It draws important implications to enhance continuing education to prepare for future pandemics. An online questionnaire was developed and administered to investigate the alumni’s experiences with COVID-19, as well as their medical specialty and opinions on medical education. The response rate was 21.9%, with 680 responses collected out of the 3,105 questionnaires sent. Results show that the top three important items from participants’ experiences are infectious disease control and prevention (90.7%), acquisition of accurate knowledge on infectious diseases (85.1%), and providing accurate information on infectious diseases (83.6%). Furthermore, multiple coders conducted content analysis of free text data regarding other important elements. They identified the following major themes: information literacy, difficulty in risk management, medical treatment and healthcare system, and prejudice against medical workers and their families. Continuing education can be improved by incorporating alumni’s experiences with COVID-19 to better prepare for future pandemics.
