Factors influencing learning and wellbeing among medical students during Covid-19 pandemic: preliminary findings from Kuantan

Introduction: Since the Covid-19 pandemic, most teaching and learning processes have shifted to online distance learning, including in medical schools. While online learning has been ongoing for more than one year, the factors that influencing online learning among Malaysian medical students and their well-being has yet to be described, especially when medical courses heavily rely on experiential learning. Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethical approval, we invited all Year 1 (n=151) and Year 2 medical students (n=135) in International Islamic University Malaysia to participate in this cross-sectional observational study in August-September 2021. We distributed a 65-items self-administered online questionnaire that contains Online Learning Experience, Course Evaluation Questionnaire, Well-Being Index, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaires. Results: We received a 55% response (n=77 of Year 1, n=81 of Year 2). The mean scores of the learning community and student support ranged between 3.68-3.71 over 5. The most prevalent barrier in online learning was the inadequate opportunity to study with other classmates (92%). In general, participants reported satisfactory quality of life (mean 14.6 over 20). Nevertheless, 87% reported anxiety symptoms, whereas 74% had poor sleep quality. Conclusion: Although online learning was rated positively, the majority of IIUM medical students had poor sleep quality and exhibited anxiety symptoms. This warrants further investigation followed by early intervention to prevent further decline in their well-being