The Impact of Online Education of Practical Courses on Pharmacy Students Practical and Communication Skills: Students’ Perceptions

Abstract

The quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced universities to continue their education courses remotely, including practical courses. However, delivering practical laboratory courses was challenging, since all simulation laboratory courses lack real hands-on experience. The purpose of this study was to assess student’s perception of the impact of online delivery of hands-onlaboratory courses, on pharmacy students’ practical and communication skills. An anonymous Microsoft®Forms-based cross-sectional questionnaire was sent to potential participants at the University of Jordan Pharmacy School. Students’ responses were analysed using SPSS® 23.0 software. A total of 274 online surveys were completed. About 69% of students preferred the hands-on laboratory courses and about 62% of students did not find online labs as effective as hands-on laboratory courses. About 73% of students think that online learning negatively affected their practical skills. Approximately 76% of students think that direct working in the lab improves their communication skills. Overall, Students prefer the traditional lab for practical course learning and think that learning online has negatively affected their practical and communication skills. This emphasises that pharmacy schools should consider the nature of practical courses when it comes to online educational methods inclusion into their curricula, to maximize the benefits delivered to students while matching students’ needs and preferences.