Impact of the COVID-۱۹ Pandemic on Medical Students' Academic Performance in Basic Sciences Period: A Comparative Study at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

Background: The COVID-۱۹ pandemic disrupted traditional medical education, forcing a rapid shift from on-site to online learning and assessment. This study compared the academic performance of medical students in basic sciences period before and during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, focusing on routine final tests and national basic sciences exam scores.Method: This cross-sectional study analyzed the academic performance of ۳۲۰ medical students across two time periods: pre-pandemic (۲۰۱۸–۲۰۱۹) and during the pandemic (۲۰۲۰–۲۰۲۱). Data were collected from routine final test scores and national basic sciences exam scores. Statistical comparisons were made using the Chi-square test and independent t-test, as appropriate, at ۰.۵ level of significance.Results: No significant difference was observed in routine final test scores before (۱۵.۰۱ ± ۱.۶۸) and during (۱۵.۰۹ ± ۱.۵۳) the pandemic (P=۰.۷). However, national basic sciences exam scores significantly declined from ۱۰۴.۷۸ ± ۱۷.۳۸ (pre-pandemic) to ۹۴.۲۱ ± ۱۹.۳۱ (during the pandemic) (P=۰.۰۳۸), suggesting that high-stakes assessments, which are administered with more precision and under strict conditions, were more adversely affected by pandemic-related disruptions.Conclusion: The significant decline in national basic sciences exam scores during the pandemic highlights the challenges posed by COVID-۱۹ to medical education, particularly in high-reliability assessments. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the long-term impacts of the pandemic on medical students' academic performance and preparedness for future challenges.

کلیدواژه ها:

Medical education ، Academic performance ، COVID-۱۹ pandemic ، Basic Sciences ، Online learning