Ensuring Continuity of undergraduate Clinical pharmacy Teaching and Learning Activities During Crisis

Abstract

This commentary briefly discusses alternative teaching-learning (TL) activities and student assessment methods during COVID-19 movement control order (MCO) for undergraduate clinical pharmacy courses in Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at University of Cyberjaya, Malaysia. A variety of online TL and assessment activities were planned and undertaken in accordance to standard guidelines and course learning outcomes of clinical pharmacy courses for the period between 18 March 2020 to 28 April 2020. Selected online TL which include pre-recorded lectures, live stream lectures, virtual hospital simulation and hospital attachment were implemented. Various online assignments were used to replace face-to-face practical exams and pharmacy objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). An online survey to students was conducted and found that internet speed, connectivity and coverage were the main challenges faced by students in undertaking online learning. Digital education is the mainstream of medical education in this millennial especially when facing crisis. High speed and good internet coverage are therefore essential in ensuring effective online TL delivery and assessments to all students and educators.