Studying veterinary medicine during Covid-19: results of a student’s survey

Introduction: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the accompanying measures of infection control against SARS-CoV-2, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) had to quickly convert and digitalize most parts of its academic teaching. The first term of 2020 was carried out as an almost fully digitalized semester. The following terms (winter semester 2020/21 and summer semester 2021) were conducted as hybrid semesters - a mixture of digital events and hands-on teaching.

Following the hybrid semesters, student’s satisfaction was evaluated, to best adapt future hybrid veterinary teaching to the needs of the students.

Method: At the end of the summer term 2021, students were asked to fill out an online questionnaire. In addition to questions about digital learning, the survey asked about, e.g., communication, examinations, equipment and the study conditions.

Results: The students (n = 492) rated digital teaching methods and provided suggestions for future teaching. Compared to the summer term 2020 the usability of digital formats improved. The majority of students (62.6%; n = 308) indicated a preference for a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching. 159 students (32.32 %) suggested improvements for the learning platforms used.

Conclusion: The results of this study will be used to evaluate which digital formats can be considered useful - even after the Covid-19 pandemic. The students’ suggestions for improving future teaching as well as the learning platforms used will be taken into account. Based on the identified needs digital teaching and the e-competence of students and lecturers can be further refined.