Impacts of the First Year MBBS Due to the Pandemic: A Case Study from AIIMS Patna
The first year of MBBS can be a challenging yet fascinating journey for medical students. However, the ongoing global pandemic, specifically the outbreak of COVID-19, has significantly impacted educational institutions worldwide, including medical colleges. This article explores the specific challenges faced by first-year MBBS students at AIIMS Patna and how they managed to adapt to the new normal.
Introduction to the Pandemic Scenario
The pandemic forced many educational institutions to suspend their offline classes and transition to online learning. Here, we delve into the experiences and challenges faced by the first-year MBBS students at AIIMS Patna, highlighting both the difficulties posed and the methods employed to mitigate them.
Impact on Physical Interactions and Learning
Due to the pandemic, traditional modes of learning were disrupted. First-year MBBS students at AIIMS Patna found that while patient interactions were minimal, the lack of physical presence in the lab and dissection classes posed significant challenges. For instance, the first-year students at AIIMS Patna faced difficulties in dissecting cadavers during online classes due to the inability to touch and feel the specimens.
Adaptation to Online Learning
Despite the challenges, the transition to online learning was relatively smooth at AIIMS Patna. Regular online classes started early, ensuring a continuous learning environment for the students. However, the reliance on digital mediums for dissection classes and practicals posed new hurdles:
Books: The lack of printed books affected the depth of understanding, as students primarily resorted to PDF versions on tablets, impacting their study quality. Dissection Classes: Online dissection classes were conducted regularly, though the lack of clear streaming quality and the inability to handle specimens in person significantly affected the learning experience. Practical Classes: In terms of physiology practicals, many had already been completed offline, and the few remaining were done online. However, they lacked the hands-on experience that is crucial for medical students.Virtual Learning vs. Traditional Learning
When comparing the effectiveness of online classes to traditional lecture classes, the students at AIIMS Patna found that the quality of online lectures was largely comparable to that of offline classes. The main issue lay in the practical aspects of learning, where the hands-on experience could not be replicated through virtual means alone.
Completion of the First Year
By mid-June, the first-year classes at AIIMS Patna were concluded, providing an early indication of how the pandemic could be managed within medical education. From mid-June to July, the college offered online revision classes for the first-year, preparing students for their professional exams. In a significant move, AIIMS Patna also became the first medical college in the country to start second-year online practical classes from July 13th. This early decision proved to be the best possible adaptation during the pandemic.
Challenges in the Second Year
As the second year commenced, particularly the third semester, the main challenges shifted towards practicals and the lack of printed books. Clinical postings, an integral part of medical training, also became scarce. However, all these constraints were expected to be addressed once students returned to campus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pandemic has undoubtedly brought about unprecedented changes in the way first-year MBBS students at AIIMS Patna learn and adapt. Despite the challenges, the college’s early decision to conduct online classes and the innovative approach to practical classes demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of the institution and its students. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, these experiences serve as valuable lessons for institutions and students alike.