Use and benefits of videoconferencing in pre-clinical education medical courses at the Latin University of Panama (ULAT)

Abstract

Introduction: Videoconference is a communication service that can be used at any educational level, especially in higher education.

Objective: To explore the student’s point of view about receiving medical courses trough videoconferencing in a preclinical subject.

Method: The sample reported is 95 students. It was selected from students enrolled on the subject of physiology in six semesters, with an average of 14-18 students each semester. A survey was applied to the students in order to explore videoconferencing as a teaching method; the survey questioned about development, interaction and usability of videoconferencing in the subject.

Results: It is worth noting from the results that, from the student’s point of view, an adequate academic relationship was established with the teachers who delivered the course through videoconferencing.

Discussion: Videoconferencing as a teaching method, even in distant places in real time, is a useful method and vehicle for medical teaching, at least in preclinical subjects.