COVID-19 Impact on Radiology Students’ Distance Learning (Fall 2020)

Distance learning (DL) is a teaching tool that offers education to students remotely in various locations (Ruiz, 2006). The increase in distance learning education is evident in all types of educational programs including those in Radiologic Sciences. DL education programs are expected to comply with all standards just as traditional programs are (Aaron, 2015). With traditional class settings, knowledge is taught at a given time and day and is structured in terms of course development and attendance. It does not factor in the domestic and familial responsibilities of the students outside the classroom walls or the effects of a worldwide pandemic. Radiological Technology education is active with DL for the current semester and looks to continue with DL into the Spring semester. What happens to Radiological Technological education when the COVID-19 pandemic continues with no visible end in sight. Laboratories and clinical rotations are still open and ongoing, respectively but based on rising infections could stop at any moment. With the distribution of online surveys, we are continuing to evaluate the effects that distance learning, modified laboratory schedules and increased positive COVID-19 cases at their clinical sites. We will look into the efficiency of course material distribution to prepare the junior students for clinical rotations and the current students for their licensing exam. We will also compare the emotional, mental and physical well-being of the students over the course of the current school year