Predictor role of fear of COVID-19, e-learning readiness and motivational beliefs on student's satisfaction of virtual education in surgical and trauma wards during the COVID-19 pandemic

The prevalence of COVID-19 in the world and the long closure of universities necessitate attention to virtual education, e-learning readiness, and student satisfaction.

The present study is a descriptive-analytical study of structural equations that was performed on 216 students studying at Alborz University of Medical Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The multi-stage sampling method was determined in the first stage of the schools and the second stage sampling was done randomly. Data were collected by electronic questionnaires of fear of COVID-19, e-learning readiness, motivational belief, and student satisfaction. Data were analyzed by using SPSS and LISREL 8.8 software. Statistical significance was (P-value< 0.05).

The results of study showed fear of COVID-19 had a significant and positive effect on student satisfaction (β = 0.22, P=0.001). Motivational belief also had a significant and positive effect on e-learning readiness (β = 0.76, P=0.001) and also, e-learning readiness had a significant and positive effect on student satisfaction (β = 0.51, P=0.001).

Despite the student’s dissatisfaction with the virtual education system, the fear of COVID-19 increases their satisfaction with virtual education, so providing the necessary protocol for virtual education in times of crisis and natural disasters increases students' satisfaction with virtual education.