Educational Needs During COVID-19: MOOCs Experiences Among Global Family Physicians

MOOCs Experiences of Global Family Physicians

Abstract

Introduction: Family physicians (FPs) around the world rallied to minimize the indirect effects of the disease. FPs are always on the frontline, “first in- last out”, and take the lead in fighting the virus-caused disease in the acute phase of the COVID-19 epidemic. They play a vital role in examining, informing, and monitoring patients in the primary care health centers, as well as in centers set up specifically for COVID-19. However, due to poor knowledge towards COVID-19 which changes rapidly, FPs had to update practical and theoretical knowledge about this novel coronavirus on a daily. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) are courses that use an online application and can reach the whole world.  In this study, we aimed to determine the opinions and suggestions of FPs in meeting their educational needs about COVID-19 through MOOCs, and to create solutions.

Methods: The study was planned to be held with FPs who completed the MOOC training and filled out the questionnaire. Due to international participation, the survey was conducted in English. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of IUE. Participation was entirely voluntary.

Results: Our study revealed that as the age of the FPs increases, their confidence in their ability to treat their patients increases too. FPs showed a positive attitude towards MOOCs as source of continuous medical education, as well as group activity (p<0.005). For the qualitative part of the study, three themes were significant: “i) opinions about concerns about changes of primary care, ii) views and attitudes about the information need and access to information, iii) attitudes and beliefs about MOOCs”.

Conclusion: By completion of this course, FPs broadened their knowledge about management of COVID-19. This gave them capacity to save and improve the lives of countless patients infected by the novel coronavirus worldwide. Sharing their experiences of COVID-19 could be a way of coping with stress.