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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Academic Activity and Health Status among Romanian Medical Dentistry Students; A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Raluca Iurcov

    (Dentistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania)

  • Lavinia-Maria Pop

    (Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, 700111 Iasi, Romania)

  • Magdalena Iorga

    (Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, 700111 Iasi, Romania
    Behavioral Sciences Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania)

Abstract

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, dental faculties had to rethink their way of teaching and interacting with students and of delivering solid theoretical knowledge and practical skills to students. Background: The purpose of the study was to assess dentistry students’ opinions about the online activity, together with a self-evaluation of their mental and physical health, during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey. Three hundred and three students, enrolled across all six years of study, were included in the research. Socio-demographic and academic data were collected, along with a self-evaluation of physical and mental status. Some items investigated students’ opinions about distance learning and the impact of that online activity on their achievement. The answers were rated using a five-item Likert-like scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS (v.24). Results: statistical analyses showed that more than 20% of the students strongly agreed with the statement that they felt more anxious and depressed during the first months of the pandemic, and more than 30% were totally satisfied with their relationships with their family members. One-fifth of the respondents declared that they were totally dissatisfied with the relationships with their colleagues and friends. Overall, 50.60% of the students attended the courses/labs in their entirety when they were connected online. Two-thirds of the respondents considered that their practical training was affected due to the online activity, and that not all of the subjects could be taught online. More than half of the respondents agreed that the most objective evaluation method is that of the multiple-choice exams administered at school, and considered that exclusively utilizing online assessments of students encourages unethical behaviors. Age, involvement in online activity, and active participation using video cameras were strongly correlated with satisfaction with academic results. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that online activity was a good alternative for dentistry students during the pandemic restrictions. The positive aspects, together with the negative consequences, of distance learning should also be taken into consideration by university teachers and academic institutions to improve teaching experiences and to ensure a solid professional formation for dentistry students.

Suggested Citation

  • Raluca Iurcov & Lavinia-Maria Pop & Magdalena Iorga, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Academic Activity and Health Status among Romanian Medical Dentistry Students; A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-17, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:6041-:d:568623
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nour Ammar & Nourhan M. Aly & Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan & Yousef Khader & Simin Z. Mohebbi & Sameh Attia & Hans-Peter Howaldt & Sebastian Boettger & Jorma Virtanen & Marwa Madi & Diah A. Maharani & , 2021. "Perceived Preparedness of Dental Academic Institutions to Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Md Irteja Islam & Shah Saif Jahan & Mohammad Tawfique Hossain Chowdhury & Samia Naz Isha & Arup Kumar Saha & Sujan Kanti Nath & Mohammed Shahed Jahan & Md. Humayun Kabir & Ehsanul Hoque Apu & Russell , 2022. "Experience of Bangladeshi Dental Students towards Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, June.
    2. Oana Tanculescu & Alina-Mihaela Apostu & Adrian Doloca & Sorina Mihaela Solomon & Diana Diaconu-Popa & Carmen Iulia Ciongradi & Raluca-Maria Vieriu & Ovidiu Aungurencei & Ana-Maria Fatu & Nicoleta Ioa, 2023. "Perception of Remote Learning by Fixed Prosthodontic Students at a Romanian Faculty of Dentistry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Daniela Roxana Matasariu & Ludmila Lozneanu & Iuliana Elena Bujor & Alexandra Elena Cristofor & Cristina Elena Mandici & Marcel Alexandru Găină & Cristinel Ștefănescu & Vasile Lucian Boiculese & Ioana, 2023. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality Education of the Medical Young Generation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-19, February.
    4. Laura Iosif & Ana Maria Cristina Țâncu & Andreea Cristiana Didilescu & Marina Imre & Silviu Mirel Pițuru & Ecaterina Ionescu & Viorel Jinga, 2023. "Perceptions and Expectations of Academic Staff in Bucharest towards the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Dental Education," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-17, January.

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