Challenges and Adaptation in Conducting Health Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Among Undergraduate Medical Students.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, regular teaching-learning activities have been replaced with online education strategies. This study aimed to explore undergraduate medical students' experiences in conducting research projects during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. In the study institution, undergraduate medical students had a rotation at the community medicine posting during their Semesters 6 and 7, and they needed to conduct health research projects. Upon completion of the posting, students were asked to reflect on their project using Gibbs' reflective cycle. The inclusion criteria were reflective writings of undergraduate medical students in the study institution, who conducted online research projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary qualitative data from the reflections of 40 students were included until the data were saturated and analysed with thematic analysis. The R-based Qualitative Data Analysis (RQDA) software was used for data analysis. Seven salient themes emerged from the qualitative reflections: (a) sudden changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, (b) challenges, (c) feelings of students, (d) support, (e) adaptation to the online learning process, (f) perceived benefits of online research projects, and (g) self-reflection and way forward. Although there were various challenges, the students were able to overcome and develop adaptation to conduct health research projects. The educational sector should provide support to students in terms of technology and clear guidance on the project process and encourage communication and teamwork to overcome challenges. From a positive perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic situation could have a beneficial impact on implementing e-learning and conducting online surveys and research projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]