Challenges and difficulties students face during COVID-19 pandemic. Insights from the survey among students of Medical Faculty of Jagiellonian University in Cracow – qualitative data presentation

Abstract

The aim of the study. Pandemic outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) had significant impact on medical education across Europe. Due to the lockdown-type control measures Universities were forced to adapt to new conditions by unexpectedly switching to on-line teaching. The aim of the study was to explore medical students’ needs, problems, expectations, views on positive aspects of current situation, and attitudes toward on-line teaching, and academic administration during early stages of lock-down. Material and methods. Investigators created an online survey which received 289 students responses. Survey contained quantitative and qualitative questions. Qualitative data was analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) methodology. Results. 20.76% participants responded they needed assistance or help, 49.83% of students reported that situation worsened their studying conditions, 57.79% requested more interest from University administration in current situation, 5% of the students reported being deprived of social support. Following categories has been extracted from qualitative data: struggles students face during pandemic, worries and concerns students report, positive aspects of current situation, students’ hopes and expectancies, on-line classes opinions. Frequencies of most common answers within abovementioned categories were calculated. Conclusions. To our best knowledge this is the first study presenting complex quantitative and qualitative evaluation of medical students’ situation during COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. According to the acquired data, students faced an anxiety and stress provoking situation that required undertaking special measures. This data is useful in gaining insight into students’ experiences of pandemic and may help as a guidance for planning intervention.