Percepciones de estudiantes, monitores y docentes de tres programas universitarios respecto a virtualización y presencialidad en el curso de anatomía humana durante la pandemia COVID-19 en los años 2020 y 2021

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about dizzying changes in higher education environments, incorporating hybrid modalities for the delivery of courses and classes. Objective: To describe and understand the perceptions of students, monitors and professors of three undergraduate programs within the period 2020-2021 on adaptations and methodologies between virtualization and in-person implementation in anatomy courses during the pandemic period. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, based on the voluntary completion of surveys, aimed at determining the degree of satisfaction, fulfillment of expectations, choice of modality and assessment of pros and cons regarding the virtual and in-person adaptations carried out. Results: A sample of 567 participants was collected, of which 541 were students (95.4%) and 26 were teachers and instructors (4.6%). Among the main findings, one of the advantages reported by teachers was the savings on transportation, in contrast to the disadvantage of not getting to know the students. From the students’ perspective, the human connection was viewed positively, while the lack of access to laboratories was identified as a negative aspect. Conclusions: The pandemic has had —and will continue to have— multi-sectoral impacts, opening the discussion on whether virtualization should be regarded as the sole path for the evolution of educational processes and models, or if its limitations should instead be questioned and addressed.