Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37340437›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2023

The paradigm shift towards online learning during Covid-19 pandemic: an assessment of the attitudes on the learning practices among University of Zambia pharmacy students.

Martin Kampamba, Kaluba Chiluba, Christabel Nang'andu Hikaambo, Enala S Lufungulo, Kennedy Mwila

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Martin KampambaDepartment of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. kampambamartin@gmail.com.
Kaluba ChilubaDepartment of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Christabel Nang'andu HikaamboDepartment of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Enala S LufunguloGraduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Kennedy MwilaGraduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe nexus between higher education and digital technology has been extensively studied in the past and recently during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to ascertain pharmacy students' attitudes towards using online learning during COVID-19.

methodsThis cross-sectional study assessed the University of Zambia's (UNZA) pharmacy students' adaptive characteristics, such as attitude, perception, and barriers to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from a survey of N = 240 were collected using a self-administered, validated questionnaire along with a standard tool. Findings were statistically analysed using STATA version 15.1.

resultsOf the 240 respondents, 150 (62%) had a negative attitude towards online learning. Further, 141 (58.3%) of the respondents find online learning less effective than traditional face-to-face learning. Regardless, 142 (58.6%) of the respondents expressed a desire to modify and adapt online learning. The mean scores for the six domains of attitude (perceived usefulness, intention to adapt, ease of use of online learning, technical assistance, learning stressors, and distant use of online learning) were 2.9, 2.8, 2.5, 2.9, 2.9, and 3.5, respectively. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, no factors in this study were significantly associated with attitude towards online learning. The high cost of the internet, unreliable internet connectivity and lack of institutional support were perceived barriers to effective online learning.

conclusionAlthough most of the students in this study had a negative attitude toward online learning, they are willing to adopt it. Online learning could supplement traditional face-to-face learning in pharmacy programs if it can be made more user-friendly, have fewer technological barriers, and be complemented by programs that help improve practical learning abilities.

Indexed as

COVID-19Education, DistanceStudents, PharmacyAttitudeCross-Sectional StudiesHumansPandemicsAttitudesCOVID-19Learning practicesOnline learningPharmacy students

Identifiers

PMID37340437
PMCPMC10283292

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.