Exploring the perspectives of medical students of application on e-learning in medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic

Employment intentions among rural order-oriented medical students in inner mongolia autonomous region, China

BACKGROUND

The program of the "Free Training of Chinese Rural Order-Oriented Medical Students" is a plan to train general practitioners who can work at rural medical institutions. However, many students have been unwilling to fulfill their commitments and actually work in their assigned locations.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to provide some explanation by exploring factors influencing the employment intentions of rural order-oriented medical students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China to provide a basis for formulating relevant supporting policies to help increase the fulfillment rate of medical students.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study with a stratified cluster sampling method at four medical universities in Inner Mongolia using a survey questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors that were significantly associated with employment intentions.

RESULTS

Approximately 67% of students were willing to work in rural areas, whereas 33% were not. Order-oriented medical students who were dissatisfied with, or indifferent to, training, were unclear about policy, were of Han ethnicity, or came from an urban area, had lower intentions to accept employment in rural areas. The training satisfaction in particular had the greatest predictive effect.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of the program "Free Training of Chinese Rural Order-Oriented Medical Students" has been affected by the low actual employment intentions. This study may provide a useful basis on which medical educators and health policy makers can formulate relevant supporting policies and develop strategies to increase the number of order-oriented medical students who working in rural areas where they are most needed.

Current Impact and Long-Term Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Iraqi Healthcare Systems: A Case Study

Decades of wars, sanctions, and internal conflicts have compromised Iraq's health system, which once was the best system in the region. National and international efforts to revitalize the system have been successful to some extent; however, significant challenges still exist. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed new vulnerabilities and exacerbated the existing ones, affecting the quality and the quantity of the health services delivered. This case study explored the baseline function of Iraq's health system within the context of the World Health Organization (WHO) health system framework. The paper also examined the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and some of its impacts. Results show that the system was not functioning optimally nor was it prepared to address the immediate impact of the current pandemic and other emerging public health issues. While mitigating the pandemic's short-term and long-term impacts are essential, it should not divert the focus from restructuring and strengthening the health system. Iraq may need to prioritize the health information system and leadership/governance as they provide the basis for health policies and regulations for all other health system building blocks.

The perceived usability of the learning management system during the COVID-19 pandemic: Integrating system usability scale, technology acceptance model, and task-technology fit

BACKGROUND

The education system has shifted from traditional to online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the Learning Management System (LMS) is one of the most important and comprehensive learning platforms that support and facilitate online learning during this pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the perceived system usability of LMS during the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Task-Technology Fit (TTF), and System Usability Scale (SUS).

METHODS

An online survey was utilized to collect data from 502 Filipino students from different academic institutions and different areas of study.

RESULTS

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that students' perceived ease of use of LMS had a significant effect on perceived usefulness which subsequently and positively led to students' perceived satisfaction of LMS. In addition, LMS technology characteristics was found to have a significant effect on LMS task-technology fit which subsequently led to perceived usefulness and perceived satisfaction. Interestingly, perceived satisfaction was found to have a significant effect on students' perceived system usability of LMS which was calculated using a System Usability Scale (SUS).

CONCLUSION

The findings have implications within the education system globally, particularly in recognizing the relevance of LMS moving forward. Furthermore, since this is the first study that integrated SUS, TAM, and TTF, the conceptual framework can be utilized to evaluate the perceived usability of LMS worldwide.

Using Technology Adoption Theories to Maximize the Uptake of E-learning in Medical Education

INTRODUCTION

While the use of e-learning tools in medical education is guided by robust literature on their design and evaluation, there is sparse literature on strategies that maximize their adoption among trainees.

METHODS

In this scoping review, we searched Web of Science for studies on technology adoption theories as applied to education, using a final censoring date of August 1, 2021.

RESULTS

Based on our findings, we identified three representative theories: (1) technology acceptance model, (2) technology adoption life cycle, and (3) domestication theory.

DISCUSSION

We describe these theories in detail, examine their prior applications, and propose specific uses within medical e-learning.