Optimising E-Learning for healthcare: Striking the balance between flexibility & effectiveness
The COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid shift towards online learning across all educational sectors, including healthcare. While e-learning platforms offer a crucial solution for maintaining continuity of education, questions still need to be answered about their effectiveness compared to traditional face-to-face methods.
A recent study published in Cureus explores these questions, analysing healthcare students' perceptions regarding online versus face-to-face learning.
The study, conducted at the Institute of Dentistry, Bakhtawar Amin Medical and Dental College in Pakistan, surveyed 270 healthcare students about their experiences with both learning methods. The findings reveal a nuanced picture, highlighting both the advantages and limitations of e-learning in healthcare education.
Flexibility and Convenience: E-Learning's Strengths
The study identifies several clear advantages associated with e-learning. Students appreciate the flexibility online platforms offer, allowing them to learn at their own pace and location. This convenience is particularly valuable for busy students juggling multiple commitments. Additionally, e-learning provides easy access to study materials anytime, anywhere, eliminating the need for physical attendance or specific timings.
The Challenges of Replicating Clinical Reality
However, the study also sheds light on the limitations of e-learning, especially in healthcare education. Students perceive traditional methods as more effective for knowledge acquisition and skill development.
E-learning struggles to replicate the complexity and nuances of real-world clinical scenarios, potentially hindering the development of essential skills like diagnosis, treatment planning, and communication.
Beyond Knowledge: Social Interaction and Engagement
The study highlights the importance of social interaction in healthcare education. Students report feeling more engaged and actively participating in physical classrooms than in online environments. The collaborative nature of healthcare professions demands strong communication and team-building skills, which are fostered more effectively through face-to-face interaction.
Balancing Benefits: E-Learning as a Supplement, Not a Replacement
Despite these limitations, the study acknowledges the potential value of e-learning as a supplementary tool. Students report finding online learning enjoyable and useful for specific learning needs or situations.
Healthcare teachers are encouraged to explore blended learning approaches that combine the flexibility of e-learning with the effectiveness of face-to-face instruction. The report suggests this can optimise learning outcomes by catering to individual student needs and preferences while ensuring essential clinical skills are adequately developed.
