Perceived challenges and barriers for medical students in the COVID-19 crisis

BACKGROUND: Unpredictable and immediate changes, especially in the clinical and practical fields of medical sciences following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, have posed many challenges for medical students. This study was conducted to identify the experiences and students’ understanding of the challenges in the COVID-19 crisis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present qualitative research was conducted by performing semi-structured interviews with the students along with holding a student panel. The study population consisted of 30 clinical and basic medical students of Babol, Iran and Kermanshah universities of medical sciences who were selected by purposive sampling method. Data were collected based on students’ perceived experiences of challenges, obstacles, and problems in the COVID-19 crisis. The data analysis process was performed by conducting interviews and information obtained from the panel using v10 R150410 software. Finally, the related factors and components were identified. RESULTS: Challenges and perceived obstacles of medical students in the COVID-19 crisis were identified in the form of eight factors including student life factors, interaction and communication, psychological factors, educational technology, factors related to the professors, limitations of educational and research planning, crisis management, and educational evaluation. CONCLUSION: Identifying the challenges of medical education perceived by students in this study and adopting appropriate strategies to overcome existing barriers open new opportunities for expanding the scope of the curriculum, providing education, and promoting community health to universities; moreover, the challenges of medical education and any skill-based discipline, such as medical sciences in the COVID-19 pandemic will require much attention and investigation in cognitive sciences.