Darin Tangsittitum¹
Peeradon Dutsadeevettakul², Manasvin Onwan³ and Anongnard Kasorn⁴
1 Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University
2 Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University
3 Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sinakharinwirot University, Nakhon- Nayok, Thailand
4 Department of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand

Medical education in Thailand had been transitioned to primarily online programs throughout the past two years of the pandemic. Virtual lectures, lab simulations, and remote proctoring were carried out during this period. Returning to onsite learning brings new challenges and chances for medical education around the world to adjust to the new era once the new normal has started. 

A mixed questionnaire consisted of qualitative and quantitative: open-ended and close-ended interviews were conducted among Thai medical students from two centers in January 2023 (N=105). 

Students (69%) strongly believed that onsite learning was more effective than online learning. However, they agreed that the learning outcomes of these two different approaches were comparable. Most of the students (94%) accorded that active learning especially for practical lessons including labs, dissections, problem-based learning, and group discussions should be carried out in person. 

In addition, more than 80% of the students stated that online lectures were convenient and could accommodate their preferred learning method. On the other hand, more than half of respondents stated that the transition from online to onsite learning was difficult in the post- COVID-19 era. Almost 80% of them struggled to cope with this transition on both mental and physical levels. Therefore, the majority of the students (86.67%) expressed a preference for a hybrid learning approach. 

Although the post-COVID-19 era has brought hope and excitement for a return to in-person classroom learning, medical schools can also implement flexible learning systems to suit their students’ preferences. 

Take Home Messages

Adaptation of medical education is necessary for schools to provide flexible and personalized learning options that meet the unique needs and preferences of each student to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed for future careers and improve educational outcomes. 

References (maximum three) 

1. Lee BE, Zlotshewer BA, Mayeda RC, Kaplan LI. Impact of online-only instruction on preclinical medical education in the setting of COVID-19: Comparative analysis of online-only vs. Hybrid instructions on academic performance and mental wellbeing. Med Sci Educ [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 6];32(6):1367–74. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36245945/ 

2. Hameed T, Husain M, Jain SK, Singh CB, Khan S. Online medical teaching in COVID-19 era: Experience and perception of undergraduate students. Maedica (Buchar) [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Aug 6];15(4):440–4. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33603900/ 

3. Hameed BZ, Tanidir Y, Naik N, Teoh JY-C, Shah M, Wroclawski ML, et al. Will “hybrid” meetings replace face-to-face meetings post COVID-19 era? Perceptions and views from the urological community. Urology [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Aug 6];156:52–7. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33561472/