There is a discrepancy between the research exploring e-learning at medical universities in Central/Eastern and Western European countries. The aim of the MeSPeLA study was to explore the understanding, experience and expectations of Polish medical students in terms of e-learning. Questionnaire containing open-ended and closed questions supplemented by focus group discussion was validated and performed among 204 medical students in Poland before COVID-19 pandemia. Several domains: understanding of e-learning definitions; students’ experience, preferences, expectations and perceptions of e-learning usefulness, advantages and disadvantages were addressed. The qualitative data were analyzed using an inductive approach. 46.0% of students chose a communication-oriented definition as the most appropriate. 7.4% claimed not to have any experience with e-learning. 76.8% of respondents indicated they had contact with e-learning. The main reported e-learning advantages were time saving and easier time management. The most common drawback was limited social interactions. The acceptance of the usage of e-learning was high. Medical undergraduates in Poland regardless of the year of studies, gender or choice of future specialization showed positive attitudes towards e-learning. Students with advanced IT skills showed a better understanding of the e-learning definition and perceived e-learning to be a more useful approach. The expectations and perceptions about e-learning in Polish medical schools seems similar to some extent to that in Western European and the United States so we can be more confident about applying some lessons from these research to Poland or other post-communist countries. Such application has been accelerated due to COVID-19 pandemia.

B a c k g r o u n d: During COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to collect and analyze data concerning management of hospitals and wards to work out solutions for potential future crisis. The objective of the study was to investigate how surgical wards in Poland are managing during rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic.
M e t h o d s: An anonymous, online survey was designed and distributed to surgeons and surgery residents working in surgical departments during pandemic. Responders were divided into two groups: Group 1 (responders working in a “COVID-19-dedicated” hospital) and Group 2 (responders working in other hospitals).
R e s u l t s: Overall, 323 responders were included in the study group, 30.03% of which were female. Medical staff deficits were reported by 21.15% responders from Group 1 and 29.52% responders from Group 2 (p = 0.003). The mean number of elective surgeries performed weekly prior to the pandemic in Group 1 was 40.37 ± 46.31 and during the pandemic was 13.98 ± 37.49 (p <0.001). In Group 2, the mean number of elective surgeries performed weekly before the start of the pandemic was 26.85 ± 23.52 and after the start of the pandemic, it was 7.65 ± 13.49 (p <0.001). There were significantly higher reported levels of preparedness in Group 1 in terms of: theoretical training of the staff, equipping the staff and adapting the operating theater to safely perform procedures on patients with COVID-19. Overall, 62.23% of responders presume being infected with SARS-CoV-2.
C o n c l u s i o n s: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a significantly negative impact on surgical wards. Despite the preparations, the number of responders who presume being infected with SARS-CoV-2 during present crisis is high.