Difficulties faced by medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical education faced a rapid transition to virtual modalities that impacted clinical and theoretical learning. Health restrictions limited access to hospitals and practices, affecting student training. This study analyzes medical students' perceptions of virtual teaching during the pandemic, their main difficulties, and the resources used.
Objective: To identify the problems associated with virtual medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluate the availability of technological resources, and analyze students' perceptions of the effectiveness of distance learning.
Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted. The population included 134 final-year medical students from a private university in Asunción. Data were obtained through validated surveys and analyzed statistically.
Results: Seventy-three percent of participants were women, with an average age of 24.6 years. Ninety-nine percent had internet access, and 88% learned to use new educational platforms. Laptops were the main tool used. Sixty-one percent expressed satisfaction with virtual education, highlighting the availability of materials and the increased time available for studying. However, 54% reported difficulties in maintaining grades, and 60% considered the clinical knowledge acquired to be insufficient.
Conclusions: Students recognize advantages in virtual education, such as flexibility and access to resources, but emphasize the need for in-person practice for comprehensive medical learning and adequate clinical preparation