The effects of a newly established online learning management system: the perspectives of Thai medical students in a public medical school

BACKGROUND: There are obstacles for medical schools in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to implement an online learning management system (LMS) during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019. Our medical school has developed and implemented tailored LMS for medical students and examine the acceptance and effects of this LMS on the medical students’ learning outcomes and identify factors influencing their adoption of online learning. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods study using an online questionnaire and online semi-structured interviews with first-year medical students at one medical school in Thailand. The platform's monitoring system and questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The response rate was 55.5% (157/283). Most of the respondents agreed on the advantages and were very satisfied with their learning experience. The logistic regression showed that content quality (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.11–5.31) and perceived usefulness (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.02–7.39) were significantly associated with the acceptance of online learning among medical students. There was no association between the test scores and time spent in the course. CONCLUSION: Despite limited evidence of LMS effectiveness in medical schools in LMIC, learning on a customised LMS appeared to be accepted, useful, user-friendly, and effective among medical students. The perceived usefulness and the content quality are associated with the acceptance of online learning. Medical schools in LMIC can develop their own LMS to ensure that it meets their learners' and faculties’ needs. This study is a single-institution study, further large-scale studies are needed to ensure generalisability.