Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the opinions of the final year students of the faculty of health sciences studying during the COVID-19 Pandemic process on the effect of distance education on their professional competencies and their attitudes towards distance education. Methods: The cross-sectional and analytical type of research was conducted between March 2021 and October 2021 in seven geographical regions in Turkey, with the senior students of the health sciences faculties of the universities with the oldest establishments. The study was carried out with 450 students. Statistical calculations were analyzed in the SPSS 26.0 package program. The results were evaluated at p<0.05 significance level. Research data were collected using the Student Descriptive Information Form and the Attitude Scale towards Distance Education. Results: In the study, the mean score of the Attitudes towards Distance Education Scale was found to be significantly low for the students who had difficulty in following the courses due to the limited computer and internet facilities in the distance education system, who did not find the teaching of theoretical and applied courses through distance education efficient, and who stated that it affected their professional competence (p<0.05). The scores on the Attitude Scale towards Distance Education were found to be high for the students who expressed a positive opinion about distance education. Conclusion: In the context of increasing the quality and student satisfaction in distance education, it can be recommended to develop the distance education infrastructure systems of universities, to create opportunities for students with limited opportunities, and if possible, to compensate for the applied courses in the later period. Keywords: Pandemic; Distance Learning; health Sciences; practical training, Supporting Organization: None

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