Abstract
BackgroundClinical training during the COVID-19 pandemic is high risk for medical students. Medical schools in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have limited capacity to develop resources in the face of rapidly developing health emergencies. Here, a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) was developed as a COVID-19 resource for medical students working in these settings, and its effectiveness was evaluated.MethodsThe RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of MOOC in teaching medical students about COVID-19. The data sources included the student registration forms, metrics quantifying their interactions within the modules, students’ course feedback, and free-text responses. The data were collected from the Moodle learning management system and Google analytics from May 9 to September 15, 2020. The research team analyzed the quantitative data descriptively and the qualitative data thematically.ResultsAmong the 16,237 unique visitors who accessed the course, only 6031 medical students from 71 medical schools registered, and about 4993 (83% of registrants) completed the course, indicating high levels of satisfaction (M = 8.17, SD = 1.49) on a 10-point scale. The mean scores of each assessment modules were > 90%. The free-text responses from 987 unique students revealed a total of 17 themes (e.g., knowing the general information on COVID-19, process management of the pandemic in public health, online platform use, and instructional design) across the elements of the RE-AIM framework. Mainly, the students characterized the MOOC as well-organized and effective.ConclusionsMedical students learned about COVID-19 using a self-paced and unmonitored MOOC. MOOCs could play a vital role in the dissemination of accurate information to medical students in LMIC in future public health emergencies. The students were interested in using similar MOOCs in the future.
Highlights
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the medical education in many different ways, as it has impacted all areas of life [1,2,3,4]
This study evaluated the RE-AIM framework of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) prepared in an emergency state during the COVID-19 pandemic [11,12,13]
An instructional design was developed on a Moodle learning management system (LMS), and 10 medical students were included in a pilot test for the overall process
Summary
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the medical education in many different ways, as it has impacted all areas of life [1,2,3,4]. The uncertainty and chaos in medical schools unprepared in this pandemic, unequal opportunities in accessing educational materials, inadequate course content, and delays in clinical training are the main problems [5, 6]. The uncertainty about the roles of medical students during the pandemic has made the student participation in patient service a controversial issue [3]. This has led to the adoption of different approaches among the institutions. Clinical training during the COVID-19 pandemic is high risk for medical students. A free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) was developed as a COVID-19 resource for medical students working in these settings, and its effectiveness was evaluated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
