Faculty perceptions on online education in a school of pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2022.221.450457

Keywords:

COVID-19, Lebanon, Online education, Perception, Pharmacy education

Abstract

Objective: To determine the perception of pharmacy faculty towards online education at the School of Pharmacy at the Lebanese International University upon the sudden shift to remote education due to COVID19.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study was conducted through a questionnaire administered to faculty members. It inquired about institutional educational changes and measured faculty perceptions towards this new educational method.

Results: About 79% of the faculty responded to the survey (N = 49) and only 24.5% had previous experience with online education (N = 12). The majority (75.5%) used blended methods for course delivery (N = 37). More than half (N = 27) were generally undecided whether online learning was better or worse than normal education. More than 55% of the respondents showed high positive perceptions regarding remote education (N = 27).

Conclusion: The preliminary findings reflect that faculty are still uncertain regarding the prompt educational shift to online learning, however, faculty members felt that better opportunities and enhanced experience for students may be provided through additional faculty support and training.

Author Biographies

Jihan Safwan, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

Biomedical Sciences Department

Michelle Cherfan, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

Biomedical Sciences Department

Mariam Dabbous, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

Pharmacy Practice Department, School of Pharmacy

Dalal Hammoudi, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon

Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy

Zeina Akiki, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

PharmD Department, School of Pharmacy

Faraj Saade, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy

Marwan Akel, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

Pharmacy Practice Department, School of Pharmacy

Samar Younes, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon

Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy

Mohamad Rahal, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon

Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy

Etwal Bouraad, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy

Fouad Sakr, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy

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Published

28-05-2022

How to Cite

Safwan, J., Cherfan, M., Dabbous, M., Hammoudi, D., Akiki, Z., Saade, F., Akel, M., Younes, S., Rahal, M., Bouraad, E., & Sakr, F. (2022). Faculty perceptions on online education in a school of pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pharmacy Education, 22(1), p. 450–457. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2022.221.450457

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Research Article