Problems and solutions to conduct of thesis of postgraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: an insight into the students perspective

PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely impacted medical education worldwide. However, its impact on the postgraduate medical thesis and dissertation work is still not evaluated. Through this study, we planned to find out the problems brought by the pandemic and likely alternatives and possible solutions to thrust the academic competence of postgraduate students. METHODS: After obtaining institutional ethics committee approval, we sent a 13-item questionnaire to postgraduate medical students in India via various social media online platforms. Data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on thesis work and alternatives/solutions to improve the research competence were collected on a Likert scale and analyzed. RESULTS: We received a total of 398 responses out of which 377 entries were included for final analysis. The majority of participants (88%) reportedly had an adverse impact on the thesis work and out of 25% of the participants who recently submitted their around 45% had to do so without achieving the estimated sample size. The 6-month departmental review for thesis progress was seen in merely 28% of participants. Possible alternatives suggested were the maintenance of log books, task-based assessment of research methodology, departmental audits, and systematic reviews. Solutions suggested for improving the research competence of students were a compulsory research methodology curriculum, a biostatistics department in each institution, permission to conduct thesis work beyond submission time, exclusive time for research work, and financial incentives. CONCLUSION: Modification in the research aspect of the current postgraduate medical education is the need of the hour and the pandemic has enlightened us regarding the current weaknesses.