Consequences of the transition from an in-person to an online system on the quality of learning: thease of physiotherapy students

Joy KHAYAT, Hassan SALEH, Gergi ANTOUN, Racha EL HELOU, Diala EL KHOURY
Purpose:

This study aims to determine the satisfaction of physiotherapy students with online courses in terms of learning and academic performance and, in addition, to reveal the level of knowledge gained from online tools; to identify students’ attitude towards online learning and to point out challenges they faced. 

Methods:

A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from May 26, 2022 to June 5, 2022. 106 physiotherapy students were recruited from several universities in Lebanon. A self-report questionnaire was conducted covering several aspects of online learning.

Results:

Regarding knowledge, students valued face-to-face over online learning (64.2%), but preferred online classes as a tool for distance learning (37.7%). Their attitude towards e-learning was more or less negative. They suffered from visual fatigue and poor concentration (63.2%), they were, in majority, neither motivated nor engaged in the courses (60.3%). The major challenges that students faced were poor quality and speed of internet (94.3%), as well as lack of social interaction (88.7%). Physiotherapy students had serious problems with learning clinical and practical physiotherapy courses (79.2%). Finally, their academic performance regressed when they transitioned to online learning (52.8%). 

Conclusion(s):

Although our results are consistent with other published studies, they cannot be extrapolated to the general population due to some limitations. Further studies on larger samples are needed to assess the impact of transition on the quality of learning and its challenges, and to counter the various challenges while finding adequate means of prevention and adaptation.

Implications:

Our findings indicated that although online learning has many benefits, physiotherapy students in Lebanon preferred face-to-face or blended learning, which combines online learning with real-world, hands-on training. They will be able to apply diagnostic procedures and therapeutic techniques on patients effectively, reduce some of the risks cited previously, and improve their learning experience thanks to this mixed approach.

Funding acknowledgements:
the work was unfunded
Keywords:
physiotherapy programs
Face-to-face education
online learning
Primary topic:
Education: methods of teaching and learning
Second topic:
Education
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Comité d'éthique de l'Université La Sagesse
Provide the ethics approval number:
88351
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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