Preparación de los profesores no biomédicos para conducir la pesquisa activa relacionada con la COVID-19

Introduction: the technical preparation of teachers to conduct active research related to COVID-19 is essential for a correct development of the process. Objective: to describe the technical preparation of non-biomedical professors of the University of Medical Sciences of Las Tunas to lead students in the active investigation related to COVID-19. Method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out with non-biomedical professors of the institution between March and May 2020. The universe included the 56 professors assigned to the health area of the “Manuel Fajardo” University Polyclinic of Las Tunas and the sample remained made up of 22 non-biomedical professors. The data were processed using descriptive statistics Results: teachers with more than 6 years in medical education predominated. The English subject with the highest number of teachers (31,82 %) stood out. According to self-perception, 90,91 % considered they were prepared to conduct the research. Regarding the evaluation of knowledge, 68,18 % correctly defined the concept of clinical method and 59,09 % were unable to establish the difference between passive and active research. The 31,82 % did not correctly identify the taxonomy of COVID-19. The media were the main means of acquiring knowledge (86,36 %). Conclusions: the preparation of non-biomedical teachers to conduct the research is adequate. The experience in medical education was pointed out as an aspect in favor of these professionals. The main deficiencies lay in the differentiation between active and passive research.