Impact on Medical Education and the Medical Student’s Attitude, Practice, Mental Health, After One Year of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia
Authors: Turana Yuda , Primatanti Putu Asih , Sukarya Wawang S. , Wiyanto Marwito , Duarsa Artha Budi Susila , Wratsangka Raditya , Adriani Donna , Sasmita Poppy Kristina , Budiyanti Ecie , Anditiarina Dasti , Ainin Dina Qurratu , Sari Kartika , Darwata I. Wayan , Astri Yesi , Prameswarie Thia , Tursina Alya , Purbaningsih Wida , Kurniawan Andree , Widysanto Allen , Setiawan Meddy , Ma’roef Mochamad , Yuliyanti Suryani , Rahayu  , Sahadewa Sukma , Raharjo Budiono , Lestari Sri Maria Puji , Pinilih Astri , Dewi Dewa Ayu Liona , Dinata Mulya , Permatasari Tissa Octavira , Rahayu Frista Martha , Mahardhika Zwasta Pribadi , Herlinawati Sri Wahyu , Hayati Nur , Setyonugroho Winny , Diarsvitri Wienta , Purwaningsari Diah , Chiuman Linda , Latief Shofiyah , Triliana Rahma , Tubarad Gladys Dwiani Tinovella , Triastuti Ida Ayu , Sompa Andi Weri , Angreni Frisca , Lubis Siska Anggreini , Tadjudin Noer Saelan , Pandhita Gea , Pramuningtyas Ratih , Anas Muhammad , Ayuningtiyas Ratih , Ivone July , Yunita Ferdiana , Handayani  , Puspitasari Vivien , Tendean Marshell , Suswanti Ika , Kurniawan Felicia 
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in educational institutions across the country, prompting medical schools to adopt online learning systems. This study aims to determine impact on medical education and the medical student’s attitude, practice, mental health after 1 year of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

Methods

This study utilized a cross-sectional design. An online questionnaire was distributed digitally to 49 medical schools in Indonesia from February–May 2021. A total of 7,949 medical students participated in this study. Sampling was carried out based on a purposive technique whose inclusion criteria were active college students. This research used questionnaires distributed in online version among 49 medical faculties that belong to The Association of Indonesian Private Medical Faculty. Instruments included demographic database, medical education status, experience with medical tele-education, ownership types of electronic devices, availability of technologies, programs of education methods, career plans, attitudes toward pandemic, and the mental health of respondents. Univariate and bivariate statistical analysis was conducted to determine the association of variables. All statistical analyses using (IBM) SPSS version 22.0.

Results

Most of the respondents were female (69.4%), the mean age was 20.9 ± 2.1 years. More than half of the respondents (58.7%) reported that they have adequate skills in using digital devices. Most of them (74%) agreed that e-learning can be implemented in Indonesia. The infrastructure aspects that require attention are Internet access and the type of supporting devices. The pandemic also has an impact on the sustainability of the education program. It was found that 28.1% were experiencing financial problems, 2.1% postponed their education due to this problems. The delay of the education process was 32.6% and 47.5% delays in the clinical education phase. Around 4% student being sick, self-isolation and taking care sick family. the pandemic was found to affect students’ interests and future career plans (34%). The majority of students (52.2%) are concerned that the pandemic will limit their opportunities to become specialists. Nearly 40% of respondents expressed anxiety symptoms about a variety of issues for several days. About a third of respondents feel sad, depressed, and hopeless for a few days.

Conclusion

The infrastructure and competency of its users are required for E-learning to be successful. The majority of medical students believe that e-learning can be adopted in Indonesia and that their capacity to use electronic devices is good. However, access to the internet remains a problem. On the other side, the pandemic has disrupted the education process and mental health, with fears of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the loss of opportunities to apply for specialty training, and the potential for increased financial difficulties among medical students. Our findings can be used to assess the current educational process in medical schools and maximize e-learning as an alternative means of preparing doctors for the future.