Perception of online learning, knowledge assessment, and clinical skills among third-year ophthalmology residents studying during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand

Given the high predicted probability of future pandemics, it is essentially important that we understand the benefits and drawbacks of online learning compared to traditional in-class learning-especially in specialized education like healthcare-related educational settings. This is the first study to investigate the first-person perception of online learning, knowledge assessment, and longitudinal confidence in clinical skills among third-year ophthalmology residents studying during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. This survey-based study enrolled all 74 ophthalmologists that graduated in 2020 from Thailand's eleven accredited ophthalmology training centers. The results of this study revealed general acceptance and approval of online learning in a pandemic setting that prevented traditional in-class learning. Respondents overwhelmingly endorsed online knowledge examination/assessment and their trust in an honor system among online examinees; however, they at the same time strongly stressed the need for controls to improve the prevention of cheating during online testing. Regarding study ophthalmologist confidence in performing ophthalmologic procedures and surgeries compared between immediately after graduation from ophthalmology training and at one year after graduation, the results indicate that, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, most study ophthalmologists had and maintained a relatively high level of confidence in performing various ophthalmic procedures and surgeries.