فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

BACKGROUND: The corona virus disease (COVID‑19) pandemic has caused widespread effect onthe lives of health care professionals. The postgraduate medical students, who are the major pillarsof medical institutions had to bear multitude of setbacks due to the pandemic involving academic,research and well‑being issues.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional feedback based online survey done in themonth of October 2021 to study the effect of COVID‑19 pandemic induced changes in the postgraduatemedical education; amongst 78 students pursuing MD/MS degree in all departments of a tertiary medicalinstitute in Himalayan foothills of North India. The questionnaire consisted of ten questions; each of whichneeded to be answered on a five point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Resultswere assessed for the most common answers of each question (represented by mode) and associationbetween various components of the questionnaire analyzed by Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient.RESULTS: The internal consistency of the questionnaire as tested by Cronbach’s Alpha (0.82) wasgood. Most number or respondents were from surgical branches (n = 31, 39.74%). There was ageneralized agreement towards preference of resumption of onsite education (75.64%), the lack ofvariety of cases causing hampering of thesis work (88.46%) and increased mental stress during thepandemic (58.9%). While more time for self‑study was seen as the only consensual positive aspectof online teaching (64%), most students opined that technical glitches are a major roadblock inonline education (80.76%). Significant positive correlation was seen between disciplinary ease andpunctuality in online teaching (R = 0.543, P < 0.001), lack of interaction and its effect on learning andmental health (R = 0.471; P < 0.001) and the lack of diversity in cases and difficulties in dissertationwork (R = 0.351; P < 0.05). Negative correlation was observed between the satisfaction from overalllearning through online teaching and the desire of resumption of offline classes (R = −0.491; P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: COVID‑19 pandemic and its effects on medical education are long lasting.A comprehensive approach is required to rebuild the medical education curriculum, inculcating bothtraditional and newer virtual methods of education. A consistent support in academics and overallgrowth needs to be provided to medical postgraduate residents who have been the first line fightersin face of the massive disaster compromising their basic needs and education.