Due to COVID-19, tertiary institutions were forced to deliver knowledge virtually, which proposed challenges for both institutions and students. In this study, we aimed to characterize pharmacy students’ challenges and strategies during COVID-19 curriculum changes, therefore developing a comprehensive understanding of students’ learning, wellbeing, and resilience in the ever-changing situation. Data were collected from student written reflections across four year levels at one school of pharmacy from March–May 2020. In addition, data were collected from written responses of second-year pharmacy students responding to prompted questions. The data were qualitatively analyzed inductively by five coders using NVivo 12. For each piece of data, two coders independently coded the data, calculated the inter-rater agreement, and resolved discrepancies. The most coded challenges were ‘negative emotional response’ and ‘communication barrier during virtual learning’. The most coded strategies were ‘using new technology’ and ‘time management’. This study allows researchers and education institutions to gain an overview of pharmacy students’ experiences during COVID-19, therefore helping universities to provide students with necessary support and techniques on how to self-cope with COVID-19 as well as stressful events in the future.

The British Orthopaedic Trainees Association (BOTA) has now been established for 23 years. Set up in 1987 by Richard Rawlins, the organisation has grown from the founding 45 members to include over 1,000 trainees. Orthopaedic surgeons make up one of the two largest specialties in the Royal College of Surgeons. As such, we devolved from the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) so that the views of orthopaedic trainees could be represented more specifically. That said, BOTA and ASiT have excellent working ties, joining forces on specific issues such as the European Working Time Regulations.

No abstract