“…As observed in previous research, the participants in our study had restricted opportunities for direct patient care and hands-on training during their education since reducing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 virus was prioritised ( Smith et al., 2021 ; El Hussein et al., 2023 ; Dziurka et al., 2022 ; Espin et al., 2021 ; Ramos-Morcillo et al., 2020 ; Calica and Paterson, 2023 ). Additionally, to reduce the loss of clinical placement hours and to continue their course of education, these hours were substituted by regular work as health care assistants ( KUD, 2020 ).…”