Background Disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced medical schools around the world to adapt. Major changes in curriculum delivery during the pandemic have impacted medical students’ professional development. We assess undergraduate medical students’ adaptations and Professional Identity Formation (PIF) by exploring their written reflections. Methods This phenomenology study analyzes undergraduate medical students’ written reflections. We perform a thematic analysis to identify emerging themes. Results We purposively selected 80 written reflections, considering the students’ year of study, gender, GPA, and education stage (preclinical or clinical). Three themes emerged: students’ adaptation processes and coping strategies in facing the pandemic; their adaptation processes for learning; and their perceived roles as medical students during the pandemic. Conclusions Adaptive coping mechanisms were implemented by medical students in this study. The socialization processes that promote professional identity formation may change due to the tremendous disruption wrought by the pandemic; this has prompted our investigation of students’ roles and various ways of interacting with role models. We highlight the importance of the medical school supporting students’ adaptations and professional identity formation during this pandemic.

Introduction Newly graduated medical doctors in their internships are positioned to strengthen the front line in combating COVID-19. We developed a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to equip them with adequate knowledge for COVID-19 management. This paper aims to analyze the MOOC and evaluate participant satisfaction and increase in knowledge after completing the course. Methods An observational study was conducted. Quantitative data were obtained from questionnaires and pre- and post-tests. Responses to open-ended questions of the questionnaires were collected. Analysis using the Quality Reference Framework was also completed. Results The MOOC consisted of fundamental knowledge of COVID-19 (Part A) and further enrichment (Part B), and the content was written in the Indonesian language. A total of 3,424 and 2,462 participants completed the course in August and November 2020, respectively. Most participants agreed that the platform was easy to navigate, the design was interesting, and the content was aligned with their needs. Pre- and post-test scores in Part A’s subjects increased significantly. Factors contributing to and inhibiting usability and areas for improvement were further highlighted. Discussion The use of a specific quality framework facilitated a comprehensive evaluation of the MOOC’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for future improvements. The participants’ satisfaction and pre- and post-test results showed that the current MOOC holds great potential benefit for continuing education for medical interns joining the frontliners during the pandemic. Future implementation should consider increasing the quality of learning resources, scaling up the platform and its technical supports, and enhancing organizational supports.