Department of Occupational Therapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI), Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 12(03), 652-660
Received on 23 November 2021; revised on 28 December 2021; accepted on 30 December 2021
The COVID-19 has rapidly changed in higher education all across the world. As a result, education has transferred face-to-face teaching to online education platforms, which directly affects the quality of education. The study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on online Occupational Therapy (OT) education in Bangladesh through the student’s perspectives.
A cross-sectional online survey was performed to conduct the study through email.160 undergraduate Occupational Therapy students were selected by comprehensive sampling technique. Self-developed structured survey questionnaire and five point Likert scale were used for data collection. Descriptive analyses were used to analyze survey results.
Data were obtained from 114 responses. Results indicated that males were 34% and females were 66%. The study findings that most participants were used Zoom and mobile phone. They had an average of 10-12 hours weekly screen time for institutional lectures and 3-5 hours average weekly screen time for self-study. The reported health-related problems were eye problem 74.6%, attention problem 71.1%, headache 70.2% and 57% neck and back pain. During the online education, 59.6% participants faced ‘always’ difficulties in practical learning. 98.2% faced internet disconnection, 70.2% and 43% audio and video interruption and 39.5% freeze screen during internet use. Participants developed new skills in the pandemic where 78.9% were learned household activities. Strength of the online education was participants engaged in the class from anywhere.
The study has broad implications for the field of OT education. Participants recommended for improving internet connectivity, provide free internet packages, lecture method up-gradation, and e-library facilities for future online education.
COVID-19; Occupational Therapy Education; Bangladesh; Online Education
Preview Article PDF
Sk. Moniruzzaman, Nayan Kumer Chanda, Md. Saddam Hossain, Md. Habibur Rahman, Mohuya Akter, Salma Akter and Kaniz Fatema. Occupational Therapy Education in Bangladesh during COVID-19: Students’ voice. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 12(3), 652-660. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2021.12.3.0741