RESEARCH ARTICLE: Migration to online pharmacy education in Namibia: Successes, challenges and competence implications

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.174182

Keywords:

Challenges, E-learning, Namibia, Pharmacy Education

Abstract

Background: COVID-19, a global pandemic, has disrupted pharmacy education in Africa, due to unpreparedness to migrate to online Learning.

Aim: To assess outcomes and challenges facing migration to online pharmacy education.

Methods: An evaluation of implementation of online learning in the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme in Namibia using key informant feedback. The outcomes were outputs and challenges facing migration to online learning, and its impact on pass rates and scores.

Results: The pooled mean score was higher in 2020 (66.2%), compared to 2019 (63.4%) and 2018 (62.1%), (p=0.076). A variety of platforms were used as alternatives or supplements to Moodle. The main challenges included inequalities in internet connectivity, monitoring and quality assurance, implementation of experiential learning, and reliability of online assessment.

Conclusions: Whilst migration to online learning did not impact on pass rates, there is need for policies and systems to address programmatic challenges to eliminate inequalities in online pharmacy education.

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Published

15-01-2021

How to Cite

Kibuule, D., Lates, J., Ishola, A., Hango, E., Kalemeera, F., Knott, M., Mavu, D., Singu, B., Rennie, T. ., Brinkmann, I., & Mubita, M. (2021). RESEARCH ARTICLE: Migration to online pharmacy education in Namibia: Successes, challenges and competence implications. Pharmacy Education, 20(2), p. 174 – 182. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.174182

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2020): COVID-19 Special Collection

Section

COVID-19 Research Paper

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