1.Distance Learning: Perceived Constraints Towards the New Norms in Learning Anatomy During COVID-19 Pandemic
Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat ; Razif Abas ; Rebecca Tan ; Danial Haqeem ; Nut Atma S Jamali
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.3):229-234
Introduction: The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has led to unavoidable new norms, including increasing
demands for online learning. In view of the potential constraints to virtually learn anatomy among medical students,
this study was conducted to identify the level of exposure towards online anatomy learning as well as the perceived
constraints among medical students in a public university in Malaysia. Methods: A cross sectional study utilizing
online survey was conducted during the movement control order (MCO) enforcement in Malaysia between March
and October 2020 among all consented medical students at a public university in the Klang Valley area. The data
was collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire which was distributed using Google Form application. Results: A total of 281 medical students consented and completed the online survey, with 94.3% students had
low level of exposure towards online anatomy learning. Year of study and accessibility towards computing facilities
and internet connection were significantly associated with online anatomy learning, with the non-clinical students
are 19.9 (aOR= 19.888, B=2.990, 95%CI: 2.484-159.220) times more likely to have higher exposure towards online
anatomy learning respectively. Conclusion: A very high proportion of medical students having low exposure towards
online anatomy learning was observed in this study, which was predicted among the clinical students. Strengthening
the utilization of online learning should be seriously considered in parallel with the new norms and the many uncertainties with COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure continuity of effective and quality learning.