Pharmacy Students' Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Online Learning: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study in Iraq

Authors

• Heba M. Attash, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, 81011, Ninevah, Iraq
• Luma M. Al-Obaidy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, 81011, Ninevah, IraqFollow
• Harith Kh. Al-Qazaz, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, 81011, Ninevah, Iraq
• Fahad Saleem, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: The rapid shift to online learning during the pandemic has reshaped pharmacy education in Iraq, yet student perceptions remain underexplored. This study examines how pharmacy students view online and hybrid models, with attention to gender, location, and access to technology. Method: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October 2024 and January 2025 with 386 fourth- and fifth-year pharmacy students from differrent universities across Iraq. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from validated tools, assessing demographics, learning preferences, and attitudes toward digital education. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Most participants were female (72.5%) and lived in urban areas (77.5%). The mean perception score was 22.48 (SD = 8.5), indicating moderate acceptance of online learning. Male students and those from rural areas reported more favorable views. Smartphones were the primary learning device for 81.1% of students. While many appreciated the flexibility of online formats, concerns persisted about practical skill development and future employability. Over half preferred face-to-face instruction, citing poor internet, lack of interaction, and unsuitability for lab-based courses. Conclusions: Pharmacy students in Iraq show moderate and context-dependent attitudes toward online learning. Their preferences are shaped not only by infrastructure but also by geography, gender, and lived experience. As institutions move toward blended models, efforts should focus on mobile-optimized content, faculty training, and innovative teaching strategies that support practical learning in digital environments.

First Page

99

Last Page

106

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Attash, Heba M.; Al-Obaidy, Luma M.; Al-Qazaz, Harith Kh.; and Saleem, Fahad (2026) "Pharmacy Students' Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Online Learning: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study in Iraq," BioMed Visions Journal: Vol. 2: Iss. 2, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63100/3078-6738.1024