The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Current Anatomy Education: A Venezuelan Medical Student’s Perspective

Abstract

Introduction: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have modified people’s daily lives. The coronavirus has changed the landscape of medical education. The use of innovative teaching strategies and techniques becomes needed in this particular period of academic life. Methods: An online questionnaire using Google Forms® was conducted to recognize the potential challenges being faced by the Venezuelan 1st-year medical students while attending online anatomy classes. Results: In this survey (n=106) more than half of students (52.8 %) are moderately satisfied with virtual classes. But most of them (88.7 %) felt the lack of proper gadgets, high bandwidth, and strong internet connections, was a barrier to their current learning process. 76.4 % of students overlooked every aspect of anatomy education. In addition, 80.2 % felt a lack of proper books or study material in their homes. Discussion: The COVID-19 crisis may provide to update us on whether such approaches can deliver appropriate learning gain. Further, if these online anatomy programs were suitably integrated into curriculum design. At present conditions majority of students (78.3 %) preferred distance learning by video recorded classes. And 52.8 % are moderately satisfied with virtual classes. Conclusion: In this research, the majority of students (92.5 %) recognize that cadaver practice helped them to understand and grasp the subject more easily. Further, most of the students (78.3 %) consider it easier to understand lectures and cadaver practice above online sessions.