Predictors of satisfaction with studies in health undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: the impact of COVID-19 in higher education has had repercussions on health sciences undergraduates, so it is important to study the factors that predict their satisfaction with their studies.

Objective: to determine whether the use of virtual academic media, academic repercussions and adaptability to university life predict satisfaction with studies in health sciences undergraduates.

Methods: Cross-sectional, predictive study. Under a non-probabilistic purposive sampling, 376 university students between 16 and 44 years of age, from four Peruvian universities, enrolled in nursing, medicine, dentistry and psychology, participated in the study. Data were collected through the scale of satisfaction with studies, scale of use of virtual academic media, scale of academic repercussions and scale of adaptability to university life. A multiple regression model was estimated under a significance level of 5%.

Results: Regression analysis shows an adequate model fit (F-test = 121,92, p < 0,01), where the use of virtual academic media (β = 0,16, p < 0,01), academic repercussions (β = -0,12, p < 0,01) and adaptability to university life (β = 0,59, p < 0,01) predict satisfaction with studies (adjusted R2 = 0,49).

Conclusions: satisfaction with studying in health university students is conditioned by the use and quality of virtual environments, the perception of possible negative consequences due to the Pandemic and the level of adjustment to online education.