Perception of online learning, knowledge assessment, and clinical skills among third-year ophthalmology residents studying during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
Issued Date
2026-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20452322
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105029667727
Pubmed ID
41535329
Journal Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
16
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Scientific Reports Vol.16 No.1 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Chuenkongkaew W., Chalermpong J., Kiddee W., Hanutsaha P., Manassakorn A., Suwan-apichon O., Vongkittirux S., Choontanom R., Phamonvaechavan P., Kasemsup T., Kunavisarut P., Somboonthanakij S., Silpa-archa S., Pruksakorn V., Tsutsumi W.D., Chirapapaisan N. Perception of online learning, knowledge assessment, and clinical skills among third-year ophthalmology residents studying during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. Scientific Reports Vol.16 No.1 (2026). doi:10.1038/s41598-026-35674-4 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115102
Title
Perception of online learning, knowledge assessment, and clinical skills among third-year ophthalmology residents studying during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
Author's Affiliation
Mahidol University
Siriraj Hospital
Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Rangsit University
Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University
Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University
Vajira Hospital
Mettapracharak Hospital, Nakhon Pathom
Siriraj Hospital
Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Rangsit University
Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University
Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University
Vajira Hospital
Mettapracharak Hospital, Nakhon Pathom
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Given the high predicted probability of future pandemics, it is essentially important that we understand the benefits and drawbacks of online learning compared to traditional in-class learning—especially in specialized education like healthcare-related educational settings. This is the first study to investigate the first-person perception of online learning, knowledge assessment, and longitudinal confidence in clinical skills among third-year ophthalmology residents studying during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. This survey-based study enrolled all 74 ophthalmologists that graduated in 2020 from Thailand’s eleven accredited ophthalmology training centers. The results of this study revealed general acceptance and approval of online learning in a pandemic setting that prevented traditional in-class learning. Respondents overwhelmingly endorsed online knowledge examination/assessment and their trust in an honor system among online examinees; however, they at the same time strongly stressed the need for controls to improve the prevention of cheating during online testing. Regarding study ophthalmologist confidence in performing ophthalmologic procedures and surgeries compared between immediately after graduation from ophthalmology training and at one year after graduation, the results indicate that, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, most study ophthalmologists had and maintained a relatively high level of confidence in performing various ophthalmic procedures and surgeries.