Table 5 Themes and codes related to student (n = 26) and faculty (n = 10) perceptions of the course and remote learning

Strengths of course

  Great faculty

25

0

25

  Diverse topics / good content

19

0

19

  Practical skills

9

0

9

  Well-organized

5

0

5

  Welcoming environment

4

0

4

  Easily understood by wide range of students

3

0

3

  Engaging

3

0

3

  Polls

1

0

1

  Syllabus

1

0

1

  Question and answer with speakers

1

0

1

  Case studies

1

0

1

  Diverse students

1

0

1

Weaknesses of course

  Lack of community

3

1

4

  Long sessions

3

0

3

  Difficulty with receiving learning materials

2

0

2

Advantages of remote learning

  Convenient / accessible to location and schedule

19

3

20

  Diverse speakers from around the globe

6

1

7

  Saves time

4

4

8

  Able to review recordings later

2

0

2

Disadvantages of remote learning

  Practical skills and hands-on demonstrations difficult

9

1

10

  Less interaction between students and speakers

5

4

9

  Harder to stay engaged

5

0

5

  Faculty can’t read audience / get student feedback

0

4

4

Recommendations for course

  More interactive / practical / in-person days

10

1

11

  Add didactic content (equity/colonialism, ethics, global surgery, case studies)

7

0

5

  Change course schedule

3

0

3

  More diverse speakers

2

0

2

  Use video-conferencing functions, cameras more

2

0

2

  Better tailor course to different learners

1

0

1

  Send kit for practical skills

1

0

1