The Impact of COVID-19 on The Teaching of Non-Medical Healthcare Professionals in Bangladesh: Observations and Implications From A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Nihad Adnan Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4999-4793
  • Mainul Haque Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kem Perdana Sungai, Besi, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6124-7993
  • Taslin Jahan Mou Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8602-9821
  • Salequl Islam Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6131-4132
  • Shamsun Nahar Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Banglades https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3580-5576
  • Kona Chowdhury Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kem Perdana Sungai, Besi, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3836-1691
  • Taslima Zaman Department of Gastroenterology, Japan East-West Medical College Hospital Aichi Nagar, JBCS Sarani Horirampur, Turag, Dhaka 1711, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3545-3128
  • Farhana Akter Department of Endocrinology, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chattogram 4203, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4488-9388
  • Sabrina Sharmin Department of Microbiology, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram 4203, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9590-099X
  • Nadia Nusrat Department of Pediatrics, Delta Medical College, and hospital. 26/2, Principal Abul Kashem Road, Mirpur -1, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0133-0303
  • Rumana Kabir Department of Physiology, MH Samorita Medical College and Hospital. 117, Love Road, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4419-8779
  • Nirmal Kanti Biswas Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
  • Santosh Kumar Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Karnavati University, 907/A, Uvarsad Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382422, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5117-7872
  • Paras Sharma Department of Pharmacognosy, BVM College of Pharmacy, Chitora Road, Badagaon, Gwalior-474006, Madhya Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0107-2666
  • Afzalunnessa Binte Lutfor Department of Microbiology, Ad-Din Women’s Medical College, 2 Boro Mogbazar, Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0176-8746
  • Tosaddeque Hossain Siddiqui Department of Pediatric Surgery. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
  • Ayukafangha Etando Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eswatini Medical Christian University, P.O Box A624, Swazi Plaza, Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5678-4121
  • Rahnuma Ahmad Department of Physiology, Medical College for Women and Hospital, Plot No 4 Road-8/9, Sector-1, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7379-0822
  • Adnan Abdullah Unit of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4323-7617
  • Brian Godman Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6539-6972

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v21i4.61361

Keywords:

Bangladesh, e-learning, non-medical healthcare educators, Covid-19, hybrid education system

Abstract

Objective: At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, educational establishments, including universities, were closed. Educators in high-income countries quickly shifted all education online, building on available infrastructures and approaches. However, there were concerns in developing countries regarding the necessary skills among students and faculty as well as financial support for equipment and the internet. Consequently, a pilot was undertaken in Bangladesh to determine the impact of Covid-19 on the non-medical education system, building on similar research with healthcare professionals.

Materials and Methods: A purposively designed questionnaire was disseminated among eight non-medical healthcare educators in private and public universities in Bangladesh.

Results and Discussion: Private university educators reported their universities readily adopted e-learning systems and resumed classes more quickly than public universities. Both private and public university educators shared similar challenges, including a lack of training on e-learning initially, variable internet connections, affordability of internet bundles, concerns with available devices, as well as mental stress of faculty and students. Private universities reduced their tuition fees, extended submission deadlines, and shared class recordings to address challenges. Public universities arranged student loans, established Covid-19 testing centers, and the trained students in biosafety practices and molecular tests to volunteer in testing facilities.

Conclusion: Lessons learned from the pandemic emphasize introducing hybrid education systems with full technological and financial support, alongside biosafety education in the curriculum.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21 No. 04 October’22 Page : 731-743

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Published

2022-09-11

How to Cite

Adnan, N. ., Haque, M. ., Mou, T. J. ., Islam, S. ., Nahar, S. ., Chowdhury, K. ., Zaman, T. ., Akter, F. ., Sharmin, S. ., Nusrat, N. ., Kabir, R. ., Biswas, N. K. ., Kumar, S. ., Sharma, P. ., Lutfor, A. B. ., Siddiqui, T. H. ., Etando, A. ., Ahmad, R. ., Abdullah, A. ., & Godman, B. . (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 on The Teaching of Non-Medical Healthcare Professionals in Bangladesh: Observations and Implications From A Pilot Study. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 21(4), 731–743. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v21i4.61361

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 4 (2022)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Nihad Adnan, Mainul Haque, Taslin Jahan Mou, Salequl Islam, Shamsun Nahar, Kona Chowdhury, Taslima Zaman, Farhana Akter, Sabrina Sharmin, Nadia Nusrat, Rumana Kabir, Nirmal Kanti Biswas, Santosh Kumar, Paras Sharma, Afzalunnessa Binte Lutfor, Tosaddeque Hossain Siddiqui, Ayukafangha Etando, Rahnuma Ahmad, Adnan Abdullah, Brian Godman

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