‘60% med students across India prefer offline education’

NOIDA: According to the result of a survey conducted by the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida, over 60% of MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) students across India prefer to study in a classroom rather than online. The study was conducted by GIMS’ department of physiology in June-july 2020 and the report was released on April 20 this year.

According to GIMS authorities, 1,256 undergraduate students from various medical colleges across the country participated in the survey. Of these, 52.7% of responders were men, 46.3% were women, and the remaining preferred not to disclose their gender. Among the responders, 36.2% were in their first year of MBBS, 17.2% were in the second year, 32.2% were in the third year and 14.4% students were in the fourth year.

“This survey was conducted to assess the perception of medical students towards online teaching as the Covid-19 outbreak had prompted medical colleges to start online classes, with no prior sensitisation or experience for the faculty or students,” said Dr Bharti Bhandari Rathore, principal investigator of the study and associate professor, department of physiology, GIMS.

The study found that over 60% of the students thought online lectures were less interesting, less interactive and less engaging.

“They disagreed with the prevailing opinion that online learning provides a stronger sense of community among students. However, they were of the opinion that online learning encourages self-directed learning,” said

Dr Rathore.

She added, “We concluded that the students were not very satisfied with online teaching. A possible reason could be a lack of awareness among the faculty about available online teaching strategies. Teachers must be trained in the use of technology in teaching. Students should also be sensitised on the various online tools available for learning and assessment.”

She added that medical learning is an intricate process involving individual commitment, developing reading habits and building communication skills, which can be better inculcated through onsite teaching strategies. “Only around 20% of students were in favour of online lectures as a sole method of teaching. Online learning as a sole means of teaching is not recommended and not feasible in medical education as developing psychomotor skills requires face-to-face interaction with patients,” said the principal investigator.

Teachers’ expertise in online techniques, students’ readiness to move online, and the quality of online content and design are factors that define and determine the success of online teaching, showed the survey.

According to educationists, in the offline mode of education, students’ skills are enhanced, group discussions can be held easily and interaction with professors is smooth.

“For medical students, practicals are an integral part of the syllabus. In the online mode of education, while theoretical lectures can be taken, practicals are not possible,” said Dr Manisha Jindal, dean, Sharda School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida.