Assessing the Quality of Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Iranian Community Health Workers and Their Instructors

Background: Medical education has experienced a significant shift from traditional teaching styles to online, distance, or electronic learning, which applies electronic technology to support teaching strategies and engage learners in the learning process more effectively. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate educators’ and trainees’ viewpoints on virtual education for community health workers (CHWs) at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Methods: Using the consensus method, we conducted this cross-sectional study among 50 instructors and 150 CHW trainees of education programs at the Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences during 2020 - 2021. Educational materials were provided for learners virtually according to weekly scheduled programs. District Behvarz training center (DBTCs) tried to share educational videos during the period to provide practical training. In addition, clinical placements were considered for learners to facilitate gaining experience in the work environment. During the third trimester of a combined educational program, a 32-item questionnaire including six dimensions of educational design: Learner-instructor interaction, learner-learner interaction, course content, learning opportunities, and course evaluation was used to collect data. The tool was developed based on the criteria for evaluating the quality of e-learning in medical education mentioned by Hakimzadeh and Afandideh. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0. Results: The participants were quite satisfied with almost all aspects of education. According to the trainers’ and learners’ perspectives, the greatest and lowest scores were in learner-instructor and learner-to-learner interactions, respectively. Students’ scores on online education were higher. Conclusions: It is critical to move to hybrid courses and online learning to take advantage of virtual education and improve the learning process through learning strategies, as well as provide trainees with flexibility through distance learning.