LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (LMS) IN MEDICAL EDUCATION: INSIGHTS FROM UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN PESHAWAR

Objectives: To determine students' perceptions regarding the usability and efficacy of the Learning Management System (LMS). Methods: This Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in public and private sector medical colleges of Peshawar from October 2023 to February 2024. The data collected was analysed using SPSS ver.29 to determine students' perceptions of LMS usability and effectiveness. Results: The average mean score for students' attitudes and experiences with the LMS's ease of use and overall user experience was 3.32, exceeding the criteria score of 3. Additionally, students' mean score for the LMS’s effectiveness in supporting their learning was 3.48, also greater than the criterion score of 3. Furthermore, an independent samples t-test revealed that students from private medical colleges found the LMS to be significantly more user-friendly and effective (p = 0.011). However, there was no statistically significant difference in LMS perceptions between clinical and preclinical students (p = 0.723). Conclusion: According to our research findings, both the students of public and private medical colleges perceive LMS as user-friendly and efficient. This implies that LMS has the potential to streamline medical education irrespective of the institutional variations, ensuring a cohesive learning environment for every student. Keywords: Efficacy, Learning management system, Perception, Usability