Challenges of Online Medical Education in Khartoum Sudan during COVID-19 Pandemic 2021

Abstract

Background: Education and teaching has been adversely affected since the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of students have been affected by the closure of educational institutions, including medical colleges and universities to help students and save time, several institutes have turned to online education. Objective: To investigate the challenges of online medical education during covid19 pandemic in Khartoum state. Methodology: Descriptive Cross-Sectional study of six medical faculties which were selected by convenient sampling, an online author designed questionnaire was used. Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences were used for data analysis, frequency tables and figures for analysis of data. Results: 328 medical students across six faculties responded 132 (40.2%) are males and 196 (59.8%) are females. 209 (63.7%) of them between 18 – 22 years old, 116 (35.4%) between 23 – 26 years old and only 3 (0.9%) exceeded 26. The study found that students encountered difficulties concerning poor internet connection, which encountered 242 (73%). Also the major challenges encountered by the students were not only technical issues but also teachers related issues as 234 (71.3%) stated that the incompetence of teachers while dealing with online platforms was a major issue for them. Conclusion: Within the scope of this study, students had a primarily unfavorable view of the implementation of online education, and a mixed approach is preferable.