PG med students hit hard by internet outages: Study
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 01 2025: A detailed qualitative study has shed light on the profound effects of the prolonged internet shutdown in the state on postgraduate medical trainees.

The findings, published in the December 2024 edition of the Indian Journal of Medical Research by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and highlighted on January 22, 2025, reveal disruptions in both personal and professional domains for young doctors at a critical stage of their careers.

The study was conducted by Jyothi S, Sneha Dhali, Brogen Singh Akoijam, and Pangambam Amrita Devi of the Department of Community Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.

The internet shutdown imposed on May 3, 2023, amidst civil unrest lasted for over seven months significantly disrupting various sectors in the state.

PG med students hit hard by internet outages: Study

The study, conducted between July and August 2023, focused on postgraduate trainees at two tertiary care hospitals in the state.

Researchers from the RIMS conducted 22 in-depth inter views with participants selected through purposive sampling.

The study found that the internet shutdown severely disrupted patient care and hindered the academic pursuits of postgraduate trainees.

Essential processes such as report sharing, seeking opinions of seniors, and shift handoffs faced significant challenges.

One participant from internal medicine explained: "For every patient we receive and any patient we have to look after in the wards, our primary mode of communication was through WhatsApp.

However, the shutdown of the internet has significantly impacted all of us, hindering our ability to elaborate on the patient's condition and discuss ongoing matters".

Delays in obtaining and sharing reports also impeded treatment.

A trainee from Surgery elaborated: "We have encountered difficulties; obtaining reports quickly has become challenging.

Sometimes, when facing issues in reading any USG or MRI, we usually send it to our seniors.

Now it's difficult to share reports with our senior doctors who are eager to know and start the treatment".

In addition to clinical challenges, the absence of online resources affected academic activities as trainees struggled to access recent advancements and journal updates essential for their learning and research.

As one trainee put it: "Having an internet connection is like having a textbook in your pocket.

Losing it makes everything harder".

The internet shutdown also impacted the personal lives of trainees, isolating them from their families and friends.

Trainees expressed frustration over being unable to communicate effectively, especially through video calls.

A participant from Anatomy department noted: "Being distant from our families, we rely on the internet to communicate.

Despite daily calls, not being able to see their faces makes it difficult for us to stay here�.

Psycho-emotional effects included restlessness and frustration, as the sudden disconnection disrupted routines.

Many described feeling "disconnected� and "left out� from their social circles.

Additionally, trainees faced inconveniences in shopping and financial transactions, with long ATM queues replacing the convenience of online payments.

Despite the challenges, the study highlighted some unexpected benefits of the shutdown.

Trainees reported reduced screen time, improved sleep quality, and increased face-to-face interactions.

Some noted saving money by avoiding online purchases and engaging in physical activities to utilise their newfound free time.

The researchers proposed targeted bans on social media platforms instead of blanket internet shutdowns.

They also recommended establishing designated internet access points within hospital campuses to ensure continuity of patient care and academic activities during future shutdowns.

The study underscored the critical role of internet connectivity in healthcare and education, particularly for postgraduate trainees who rely heavily on digital tools for communication, learning, and patient care.

The findings highlighted the broader implications of internet shutdowns, including their psychological and economic effects, urging policymakers to consider balanced approaches that maintain public order while minimising harm.