COVID-19 Impact on Radiology Students’ Distance Learning (Summer 2021)

The Radiological Technology students have adjusted from the urgent distance learning that was enacted in the Spring of 2020, to the hybrid distance learning that is currently in place. This hybrid distance learning is the same way the incoming class of radiological technology students were taught. Both cohorts of students were tracked over the year by online anonymous surveys. We wanted to know how students were adapting to distance learning, if their focus and motivation varied over the course of the year due to changing pandemic conditions. For the students that were working, what impact did it have on their studies? What impact did the fear of catching COVID-19 from the clinical sites during the Fall Semester have on the Senior cohort? As the number of COVID-19 cases rose over the winter, students\u27 fear of clinical rotations were revealed, as well as the possibility of cancelled laboratories and clinical rotations. We inquired if students were aware of or took advantage of various resources such as financial assistance or mental health services to help with personal situations. We also tracked what students missed over the course of the year with distance learning. When the COVID-19 vaccine was made available in early 2021, we asked students if they would take the vaccine or opt out and their reasons. Lastly, we inquired if students suffered from learning loss due to hybrid distance learning and whether the pandemic changes how they view their future, including whether they wanted to pursue other degrees or modalities