Reasons for Absenteeism in Online vs. In-Person Education: Similarities and Differences

Objective: This study aimed to investigate and compare the reasons for absenteeism in both in-person and online classes among first-, second-, and third-year students at the Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine during the 2021--2022 academic year. Methods: This study was conducted during the second half of the 2021--2022 academic year, when both in-person and online classes were held. A survey consisting of 21 questions, including open-ended ones, was administered to students via Google Forms. Content analysis was performed on the open-ended responses, categorizing recurring themes to identify the reasons behind absenteeism. Results: The reasons for absenteeism were categorized into three groups: common reasons, reasons specific to online education, and reasons specific to in-person education. Common reasons included inefficiency of the lessons, health-related issues, and extracurricular activities. The factors specific to online education involved technical difficulties and a preference for recorded lectures. The reasons specific to in-person education included weather and transportation problems, visits to hometowns, and educator-related bullying. Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical need to address absenteeism through the enhancement of teaching methods, fostering stronger student-teacher interactions, and implementing protocols aimed at reducing absenteeism related to health issues. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of prioritizing educator training to improve class effectiveness and mitigate absenteeism in both online and in-person learning environments.