Online Teaching-Learning in Medical Education: A Multicentric CrossSectional Study on Perception and Challenges of Teachers and Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: During the COVID-19 lockdown, the entire educational system, from elementary to tertiary levels, collapsed. This led to a significant shift towards e-learning, with teaching conducted remotely on digital platforms. Students are likely to face various educational challenges in the future. Aim and Objectives: To assess the perceptions and challenges of teachers and students in online medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted among teachers and UG students from four medical colleges (Government & Private) in Gujarat. Self-administered online questionnaires were distributed through google form and perceptions-challenges of online T-L were collected using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Out of 367 responses, 102 were from teachers and 265 from students. Teachers viewed online T-L as a good pandemic alternative, helping complete the syllabus and enhance faculty technical skills. Students, however, had a neutral perception. Major challenges included limited interaction, poor internet connectivity, data limits, and distractions. Conclusion: In conclusion, participants had mixed views on online teaching and learning (T-L). While most support integrating both online and offline methods in the future, careful planning is needed to address challenges and maintain quality.