Thoughts on Higher Medical Education under Major Public Health Emergencies: Thinking Ahead after COVID-19 Outbreak--A Descriptive Study

Background: The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed great threat to the global population’s health and nearly every medical school throughout the world suspended classes as a precaution against the virus. This study is aimed at exploring a more advanced online teaching and learning pattern for medical school in the future especially during a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and to evaluate the efficacy of the teaching methods in improving students’ professionalism, knowledge and learning skills including problem analyzing and solving, teamwork skills, self-directed learning, as well as adaptability and acceptance to the courses.