Students, professors and preceptors’ perspectives of physical therapy undergraduate and graduate courses in emergency remote teaching during social distancing: a cross-sectional study - electronic survey

Abstract

During the period of emergency remote
teaching (ERT), it became crucial to understand the
perceptions of those involved in the national pedagogical
scenario. This study aimed to describe the perspectives of
students, professors, and physical therapy preceptors on
ERT during social distancing due to COVID-19. The survey was distributed through social media and registered 995 visitors,
resulting in 709 valid responses. The sample included 59 professors
and preceptors as well as 650 undergraduate and graduate
students. Most participants were female (80.2%), students were
aged from 20 to 34 years and professors and preceptor from
20 to 49 years; the latter were predominantly linked to private
higher education institutions (92%), mostly in the Brazilian
Southeast (82.9%). Confidence in digital platforms use varied
between groups: 81.4% of professors and preceptors reported
high levels of confidence, while only 58.3% of students reported
the same. The results highlighted the financial impact (86.6%),
the difficulties in accessing classes (76.6%) and the preference
for the continued use of digital platforms (79.5%). Engagement
and interaction during classes were affected (83.2%), as well
as academic and professional performance (79.4%), especially
among professors and preceptors (79.5%). The correlation
between confidence in digital platforms use and academic/
professional performance was significant for teachers and
preceptors (r=0.323) and not significant for students and the
overall sample. Confidence in technology use proved to be vital to
the success of ERT. Despite the negative effects observed in the
variables analyzed, the preference for remote learning was high.