Analysis of Pre-clerkship Medical Students’ Perceptions and Performance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE: Virtual instruction became the primary educational delivery method for pre-clerkship medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual and blended pre-clerkship curriculum and to assess its impact on students. METHODS: We surveyed 223 1st- and 2nd-year medical students (MS1s and MS2s) enrolled at the Paul L Foster School of Medicine. We analyzed student satisfaction with their courses, along with summative exam scores, compared to previous academic years. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 125 of 223 students (56%). Most students changed their study methods (78%), experienced technical issues (85%), and had difficulty communicating with faculty (62%). MS1s were significantly more likely than MS2s to report difficulty in adjusting to virtual instruction (p = 0.037) and a negative impact on their learning skills (p = 0.005) and academic performance (p = 0.003). Students reported the virtual environment negatively affected their social skills (77%), connectedness to peers (89%), and professional development (62%). MS1s were more likely than MS2s to perceive a negative effect on their sense of wellness (p = 0.002). The overall satisfaction with the courses was similar to previous academic years. Student performance in the summative examination of the first virtually delivered unit was lower (p = 0.007) than the previous year’s cohorts. CONCLUSION: The difference in MS1s and MS2s perceptions of virtual and blended instruction highlights the importance of face-to-face learning during the first year. Benefits and drawbacks were identified which may help inform educators when designing future learning models. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-022-01723-6.