Table 3 The association between the three universities and the effect on practice and education (n = 187)

My clinical practice has been significantly disrupted by the pandemic.

0.737

0.965**

Disagree

10 (34.5)

10 (34.5)

9 (31.0)

Neutral

4 (30.8)

5 (38.5)

4 (30.8)

Agree

57 (39.3)

47 (32.4)

41 (28.3)

The pandemic has limited my ability to prepare competencies or skills I will need to start internship year / clinical rotation.

3.969

0.410*

Disagree

8 (27.6)

9 (31.0)

12 (41.4)

Neutral

6 (33.3)

8 (44.4)

4 (22.2)

Agree

57 (40.7)

45 (32.1)

38 (27.1)

Covid-19 has shaped or influenced how I imagine spending my career.

0.477

0.976*

Disagree

10 (37.0)

9 (33.3)

8 (29.6)

Neutral

9 (45.0)

6 (30.0)

5 (25.0)

Agree

52 (37.1)

47 (33.6)

41 (29.3)

I accept the risk that I maybe infected with covid-19 if I return to the clinical setting.

11.731

# 0.019*

Disagree

9 (24.3)

10 (27.0)

18 (48.6)

Neutral

9 (60.0)

3 (20.0)

3 (20.0)

Agree

53 (39.3)

49 (36.3)

33 (24.4)

To the extent possible, respiratory therapist students should continue with normal clinical rotations during this pandemic.

3.821

0.431*

Disagree

11 (45.8)

9 (37.5)

4 (16.7)

Neutral

11 (47.8)

5 (21.7)

7 (30.4)

Agree

49 (35.0)

48 (34.3)

43 (30.7)

RT students should be allowed to volunteer in summer training during this pandemic, even if there is no health care worker shortage.

4.960

0.291*

Disagree

9 (39.1)

8 (34.8)

6 (26.1)

Neutral

6 (23.1)

8 (30.8)

12 (46.2)

Agree

56 (40.6)

46 (33.3)

36 (26.1)

In the event of healthcare worker shortage, RT students should be required to help clinically.

6.904

0.141*

Disagree

15 (40.5)

16 (43.2)

6 (16.2)

Neutral

8 (33.3)

5 (20.8)

11 (45.8)

Agree

48 (38.1)

41 (32.5)

37 (29.4)

Due to practical session cancelation, my OSCE exam has been significantly affected.

2.135

0.711*

Disagree

13 (39.4)

12 (36.4)

8 (24.2)

Neutral

13 (48.1)

8 (29.6)

6 (22.2)

Agree

45 (35.4)

42 (33.1)

40 (31.5)

Due to practical session cancelation, I feel less confident and less prepared for the next year/ next level.

1.667

0.797*

Disagree

12 (38.7)

8 (25.8)

11 (35.5)

Neutral

6 (40.0)

6 (40.0)

3 (20.0)

Agree

53 (37.6)

48 (34.0)

40 (28.4)

I believe that my medical school is doing everything they can to help students adjust.

19.324

# 0.001*

Disagree

10 (29.4)

20 (58.8)

4 (11.8)

Neutral

18 (58.1)

4 (12.9)

9 (29.0)

Agree

43 (35.2)

38 (31.1)

41 (33.6)

The pandemic has interfered with my ability to connect between clinical and theoretical part.

8.633

0.071*

Disagree

10 (41.7)

6 (25.0)

8 (33.3)

Neutral

17 (60.7)

6 (21.4)

5 (17.9)

Agree

44 (32.6)

50 (37.0)

41 (30.4)

I have been able to find meaningful learning opportunities in spite of the pandemic.

18.029

# 0.001*

Disagree

14 (31.3)

24 (53.3)

7 (15.6)

Neutral

18 (60.0)

5 (16.7)

7 (23.3)

Agree

39 (34.8)

33 (29.5)

40 (35.7)