Virtual Medical Education During COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran: A Qualitative Study of Perspectives on Challenges and Strategies

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to virtual education for students, causing many problems in many countries, including Iran. Objectives: This study explains the challenges of virtual medical education and strategies to promote it from the perspective of students, faculty members, and educational staff of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences to meet the needs and expectations of learners and educators. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a conventional content analysis approach in 2021. The sample size criterion was to achieve data saturation, based on which 14 faculty members, students, and educational staff were selected by purposive sam- pling and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The accuracy of the data was ensured through participants’ views, peer review, and an external observer. MAXQDA version 10 was used to facilitate the analysis process. Results: Based on the analysis, 4main categories for virtual education challenges, includingmanagerial factors, problems related to the nature of virtual education, infrastructural factors, and individual factors, were extracted. Further, 4 main categories, including improving management, improving education, providing infrastructure, and informing and empowering educators, students, and educational staff, were extracted to promote virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Conclusions: The challenges to which virtual education is faced and unique strategies to promote it during the COVID-19 pandemic were discussed. Understanding these challenges helps to their elimination and provides practical solutions for them. These chal- lenges and solutions can lead to effective virtual education and thus increase the quality of learning.