Distance learning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine according to medical university students

Abstract

Objective — to investigate the personal attitude of 5th and 6th year students of the medical faculties of Danylo Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University to mixed forms of education, including distance learning, in the context of quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic and martial law. Materials and methods. A questionnaire was conducted to study the personal attitude of the 5th and 6th year students of the medical faculties of Danylo Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University to the study of curricula in a mixed form of education during the autumn semester of the 2022—2023 academic year. Results and discussion. Among the survey participants, a third (33.7 %) noted that they felt more responsible for their studies, realised the opportunity to be in the learning process, i.  e. noted a change for the better, in general. However, 18.5 % of the respondents indicated a negative change, feeling indifferent. One third of students (39.1 %) rated their level of anxiety as high, and one third (33.7 %) as very high. It has been found that 30.4 % of students are engaged in volunteer activities alongside their studies, and more than half (53.2 %) are employed, including 30.4 % of all survey participants working in the medical field. Among the 6th year students, participation in volunteer activities increased compared to the 5th year students, and 39.7 % were engaged in it, and more 6th year students were also employed — 56.4 %. Among the negative factors for 80.4 % of the surveyed 5th year medical students, the priority was the lack of acquisition and improvement of practical skills, which is obvious. «Technical difficulties» came second. Distance learning had no impact on the desire to acquire knowledge in 72.3 % of students, and 27.7 % said they felt a lack of motivation to study after switching to distance learning. Conclusions. The war and martial law in Ukraine have become a source of stress for all participants in the educational process, so understanding students’ personal attitudes to learning is relevant and necessary in modern conditions. The use of information technology tools increases opportunities for both education and science. During the quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and martial law in Ukraine, the educational process did not stop, and the distance learning format, according to the vast majority of students surveyed, made it possible to continue studying medicine in relatively safe places.