Difficulties faced by Medical Students of Southern Punjab in E-Learning during COVID-19. A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Amidst the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this cross-sectional study investigates the specific difficulties encountered by medical students in southern Punjab while navigating the realm of e-learning in their academic pursuits Objective: The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the challenges faced by MBBS students in southern Punjab while participating in e-learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In May 2020, a cross-sectional study was undertaken during the first wave of COVID-19 lockdown among third and final-year MBBS students attending E-learning sessions. The sample comprised 32 male and 43 female students, totaling 85 in the third year and 18 in the final year, with a targeted response rate of 75 to achieve a 95% confidence interval. Results: The study findings reveal that a significant proportion of participants, comprising 66%, faced challenges in online classes owing to connectivity issues arising from their residency in less developed regions of southern Punjab. Forty percent of students did not face any difficulties during E-learning. These findings indicate that a noteworthy percentage of students, accounting for 60%, possess a negative perspective concerning online classes.  Conclusion: Our study participants didnot prefer E-learning, with many reporting internet connectivity issues, particularly those from southern Punjab. We thus recommend that the administration and faculty consider implementing asynchronous e-learning activities to enable students in less-developed areas with poor internet connectivity to benefit from online learning. Keywords: Distance Education, Online Learning, COVID-19, Medical Students