Introduction: Despite its numerous advantages, replacing in-person education with virtual education is a more complex and challenging issue. This study aims to elucidate the experiences of faculty and students at Saveh University of medical sciences with virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials & Methods: This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach. The participants included 11 faculty members and 54 students from various disciplines at Saveh University of Medical Sciences, including nursing, emergency medical services, operating room technology, anesthesia, health information technology, environmental health, occupational health, public health, and midwifery. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants. Data were collected through in-depth individual and semi-structured group interviews. The time and location of the interviews were determined based on the participants' preferences. The average duration of the interviews was 60 minutes. Data analysis was conducted using the Graneheim and Lundman method.
Results: Through content analysis, two main categories, including the advantages and challenges of virtual education, were identified. The advantages and challenges were further classified into three subcategories each, covering virtual education benefits and challenges for students, faculty, and the university and educational system.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, alongside the benefits that virtual education offers to students, faculty, and the educational system, challenges and weaknesses also exist. With proper forecasting, planning, and policy-making in human, financial, and support resources, virtual education can be developed and utilized as a complementary and effective form of education in the future.

Acknowledgments: This study is derived from an approved research plan of the Saveh School of Medical Sciences. We hereby express our gratitude and appreciation to the Research Vice-Chancellery of Saveh School of Medical Sciences for providing the necessary budget for conducting this study, and to all the professors and students participating in this study for their cooperation.

Availability of data and materials: The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of the results of this article.

Consent for publication: Not applicable

Ethical approval and consent to participate:This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Saveh University of Medical Sciences under the code IR.SAVEHUMS.REC.1399.021. Written informed consent was obtained from participants for their participation in the study and for audio recording. Participants were informed that their participation in the study was voluntary. The participants' data were analyzed and reported anonymously and confidentially. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Funding: This study was conducted with financial support from the Research Vice-Chancellery of Saveh School of Medical Sciences, code 1399.021.

Authors’ Contributions:Authors’ Contributions: M. Saeidi: Conceptualization 50%, Study design 50%, Data collection and/or processing 50%, Analysis and/or interpretation 75%, Writing the original draft 100%, Critical review and editing 25%, Finalization 75%, Accountability for all aspects of the work 75%.S. Taleb: Conceptualization 50%, Study design 50%, Data collection and/or processing 50%, Analysis and/or interpretation 25%, Writing the original draft 0%, Critical review and editing 75%, Finalization 25%, Accountability for all aspects of the work 25%.

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