Discontents and Blessings of Emergency Distance Learning During Covid-19: A Qualitative Study in Two Universities of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate the perceptions of undergraduate medical students, faculty and administrators, regarding their experience of emergency distance online teaching, the challenges faced, and future opportunities digital learning. Study Design and Setting: A qualitative study design was used with a phenomenology approach. This study was conducted in two public sector universities in Karachi in November and December 2021. Methodology: In-depth-interviews (IDIs) were used to assess the perceptions of administrators and faculty, and focus group discussions (FGDs) for perceptions of medical students. Qualitative data was analyzed by thematic analysis. Results: Participants reported unpreparedness of institutions, internet connectivity and technological expertise issues, lack of student-teacher engagement, untrained faculty, lack of practical and clinical exposure, loss of learning environment and infrastructure issues, as the barriers, while appreciating the convenience, flexibility, time-efficiency, accessibility and continuity of medical education as the advantages of distance learning. Conclusion: The new dictum of education is digital learning and it is here to stay. The consensus opinion seems to be for blended learning, with theoretical component of curriculum being delivered online and practical and clinical, face-to-face.