With the New Challenges of COVID- 19, Can We Depend Entirely on Online Learning for Higher Education in the Medical Schools?

BACKGROUND: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical education has gone online. Human anatomy is a three-dimensional subject that requires a clear understanding of the relationships between structures through the study of human cadavers, microscopic samples, and models. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the attitudes and perceptions of students regarding teaching anatomy before and after the lockdown period and ways of improving the challenges they faced. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at AL Imam University School of Medicine. Structured surveys were designed to understand students’ attitudes and opinions towards offline versus online teaching of anatomy and suggestions to improve the online teaching process. RESULTS: The mean attitude scores for the conventional lectures, seminars, and practical sessions were significantly higher. Students expressed positive attitudes towards the three teaching modules. Students agreed that themes related to computer skills and technical Internet infrastructure (71.55%) and administrative procedures (61.74%) are essential for improving the online teaching process. CONCLUSION: Conventional learning is the main target of student learning. Improvements in computer skills, technical Internet infrastructure, learning resources, staff communication, examinations, and development of blended learning will enrich the learning process, especially during the impending challenges.