A Qualitative Study Exploring the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Teaching and Learning of Family Medicine Course among Undergraduates in a Local University in Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.3.15
- Author:
Fathima Begum Syed Mohideen
1
;
Mohd. Radzniwan A. Rashid
1
;
Nur Faraheen Abdul Rahman
2
;
Muhammad Tauffik Mohd Noor
1
;
Sharifah Najwa Syed Mohamad
1
Author Information
1. Family Medicine Unit, Department of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Bandar Baru Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
2. Medical Education Unit, Department of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Bandar Baru Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Primary Health Care, Family Medicine, Undergraduates, Medical Education
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.3):115-122
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the global teaching and learning process (TnL). Unfortunately, to date, not many qualitative studies have been published specifically on the impact of COVID-19 on
the Family Medicine course, particularly in Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19
pandemic on the teaching and learning experience of undergraduate students undergoing their Family Medicine
course at a local university. Methods: A qualitative study using focused group discussion (FGD), was conducted
among undergraduate students during the lockdown period. A semi-structured interview guide was used to interview
20 students, in their fifth undergraduate year, undertaking their fourth to fifth week of a total six-week course. They
were selected using purposive snowball sampling method. There were four focus group discussions (FGD) with five
students in a group. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and the contents were analysed using
the standard content analysis framework. Subsequently, thematic content analysis was conducted, and three major
themes were produced. Results: The three major themes were (1) facilitators to learning, (2) barriers to learning, and
(3) rooms for improvement. Conclusion: Although COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on TnL of Family
Medicine course among undergraduates, the students remained optimistic and proposed some improvement from
their point of view. However, a creative, realistic, effective, and impactful way of TnL, particularly in clinical aspects
should be developed and experimented. Technological progress and advancement should permit this idea to be
achievable and implemented in near future.
- Full text:11.2023my1515.pdf
