The Effects of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak on Academic Staff Members: A Case Study of a Pharmacy School in Saudi Arabia

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographics

	Number	Percentage
Age, years
24–34	22	37.3
34–44	31	52.5
44–54	5	8.5
54–64	1	1.7
Sex
Male	35	59.3
Female	24	40.7
Position
Teaching assistant	2	3.4
Lecturer	16	27.1
Assistant professor	35	59.3
Associate professor	3	5.1
Professor	3	5.1
Nationality
Saudi	17	28.8
Non-Saudi	42	71.2

Table 2 Academic Staff Satisfaction with Online Teaching and Learning

	Statement	Strongly Disagree, n (%)	Disagree, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Agree, n (%)	Strongly Agree, n (%)
1	The sudden change to full online teaching was smooth.	3 (5)	10 (16.9)	13 (22)	19 (32.2)	14 (23.7)
2	The flexibility provided by the online environment is more than that of a traditional lecture.	4 (6.8)	7 (11.9)	14 (23.7)	21 (35.6)	13 (22)
3	My online students are actively involved in their learning.	13(22)	12(20.3)	15(25.4)	16(27.1)	3(5)
4	The technology I use for online teaching is reliable.	1 (1.7)	4 (6.8)	7 (11.9)	27 (45.8)	20(33.9)
5	I miss face-to-face contact with students when teaching online.	1 (1.7)	1 (1.7)	5 (8.5)	14 (23.7)	38 (64.4)
6	I do not have any problems controlling my students in the online environment.	11 (18.6)	21 (35.6)	13 (22)	8 (13.6)	6 (10.2)
7	My students are very active in communicating with me regarding online course matters.	12 (20.3)	12 (20.3)	12 (20.3)	21 (53.6)	2 (3.4)
8	I do not have to be more creative in terms of the resources used for online courses.	11 (18.6)	18 (30.5)	15 (25.4)	10 (16.9)	5 (8.5)
9	I am satisfied with the use of the communication tools in the online environment (eg, chat rooms, threaded discussions).	2 (3.4)	4 (6.8)	17 (28.8)	28 (47.5)	8 (13.6)
10	I am able to provide better feedback to my online students regarding their performance in the online environment.	7 (11.9)	10 (16.9)	19 (32.2)	18 (30.5)	4 (6.8)
11	Teaching practicals has been manageable.	18 (30.5)	19 (32.2)	17 (28.8)	1 (1.7)	4 (6.8)
12	I am more satisfied with teaching online compared to other delivery methods.	15 (25.4)	17 (28.8)	18 (30.5)	6 (10.2)	2 (3.4)

Table 3 Academic Staff Satisfaction with Administrative Work, Research, and Community Service

	Statement	Strongly disagree, n (%)	Disagree, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Agree, n (%)	Strongly agree, n (%)
1	I find online meetings to be as effective as face-to-face meetings.	4 (6.8)	12 (20.3)	12 (20.3)	18 (30.5)	13 (22)
2	I find communicating with my colleagues and supervisors online as easy as being on campus.	1 (1.7)	14 (23.7)	14 (23.7)	21 (35.6)	9 (9.5)
3	I find that completing my administrative tasks while working from home is as easy as being on campus.	6 (10.2)	18 (30.5)	11 (18.6)	18 (30.5)	6 (10.2)
4	The technology I use for online meetings is reliable.	1 (1.7)	1 (1.7)	9 (9.5)	29 (49.1)	19 (32.2)
5	I receive enough training and IT support related to the use of the electronic platforms.	2 (3.4)	6 (10.2)	6 (10.2)	23 (39)	22 (37.9)
6	My research activities are not affected by the suspension.	17 (28.8)	18 (30.5)	12 (20.3)	7 (11.9)	5 (8.5)
7	Participation in community service is not affected by the outbreak.	24 (45.8)	15 (25.4)	13 (22)	4 (6.8)	3 (5)
8	Attending conferences and scientific meetings are not affected by the outbreak.	27 (45.8)	12 (20.3)	11 (18.6)	6 (10.2)	3 (5)

Table 4 Academic Staff Satisfaction with Working from Home

	Statement	Strongly Disagree, n (%)	Disagree, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Agree, n (%)	Strongly Agree, n (%)
1	I find that working from home allows me to spend more time with my family.	5 (8.5)	11 (18.6)	8 (13.6)	22 (37.3)	13 (22)
2	I find that working from home helps with time management, self-discipline and willpower.	10 (16.9)	14 (23.7)	9 (15.3)	19 (32.2)	7 (11.9)
3	I find that working from home prevents office distractions.	14 (23.7)	8 (13.6)	16 (27.1)	12 (20.3)	9 (9.5)
4	I find that working from home provides a more focused work environment (fewer distractions).	14 (23.7)	11 (18.6)	12 (20.3)	14 (23.7)	7 (11.9)
5	I find working from home more convenient (eg, making calls, cozy clothes, no commuting).	11 (18.6)	5 (8.5)	15 (25.4)	19 (32.2)	9 (9.5)
6	I find working from home more flexible.	6 (10.2)	5 (8.5)	13 (22)	26 (44)	9 (15.3)
7	I find that working from home helps me save money.	8 (13.6)	6 (10.2)	18 (30.5)	17 (28.8)	9 (15.3)
8	I feel that working from home reduces the risk of catching the COVID-19 virus.	1 (1.7)	1 (1.7)	3 (5)	15 (25.4)	39 (66.1)
9	I feel that working from home increases my physical activity.	23 (39)	17 (28.8)	13 (22)	2 (3.4)	4 (6.8)
10	I miss social interactions while working from home.	2 (3.4)	5 (8.5)	6 (10.2)	21 (35.6)	25 (42.4)
11	I would rather continue to work from home after the outbreak.	20 (33.9)	18 (30.5)	7 (11.9)	6 (10.2)	8 (13.6)