Online mentoring of medical students during COVID-19 pandemic: Another new normal

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of online mentoring sessions on the students during the pandemic time. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi. The total study duration was 5 months from March 2021 to July 2021. Quantitative research design was used. Categorical data was scored on a three point Likert scale (1= ‘Disagree’, 2= ‘Neutral’ and 3= ‘Agree’). Frequencies and percentages were calculated to determine the impact of online mentoring. RESULTS: Sixty two percent of 2(nd) year MBBS students were of the opinion that online mentoring was helpful as compared to 58% 1(st) year and 50% 3(rd) year students. Students were anxious while sharing their issues online. A total of 61.66% were eager to have classes on campus as compared to online as learning difficulties were felt in 70%, 77% and 81% of 1(st), 2(nd) and 3(rd) year classes respectively. Of the 1(st) year 39%, 2(nd) year 46% and 3(rd) year 32% showed relief after the mentoring session but were in favor of face to face sessions. Technical issues were faced by 54% 1(st) year, 66% 2(nd) year and 64% 3(rd) year students. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that students were overall satisfied with the online mentoring sessions. They do have certain apprehensions like privacy and confidentiality issues but on the whole, they considered this medium as being a powerful one in times of the pandemic.