Ashraf Ahmed Zubair
BACKGROUND Undergraduate medical education in the pre-clinical sciences remains challenged to find teaching strategies that actively engage students in the learning process. The aim of this study was to analyse the student’s perception regarding the ideal class strength and duration, various teaching-learning methodologies in practice, their attitude towards assessment, research; and to take feedback on how improvement could be made in this domain with specific reference to pathology as a subject. METHODS A pre-validated, structured questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted on students of Phase II MBBS at the end of their 3rd term in Navodaya Medical College, Raichur. A total of 114 of 181 students participated in the study. RESULTS Student preferred a smaller class strength for both theory and practical classes with teaching duration of less than one hour. Teaching methods like group discussions were preferred and use of video demonstration as audio visual aid was regarded as most appropriate by majority of the students. PowerPoint presentations were not opted by a greater proportion of the students. This shows a changing trend in the teaching process towards integrated teaching. The essential skills of a teacher from a student’s perspective were highlighted. Changes in pattern of assessment comprising a blend of conventional essay questions along with case-based questions and MCQs was suggested by the participants. Most of the students wanted to pursue research preferably form the 2nd phase MBBS and a good proportion felt it should be made mandatory. Many of these results correlated with studies conducted in other medical colleges in India and abroad. CONCLUSIONS A need for change in the current system of medical education with more focus on optimal class size and duration, better teaching learning methods as per the scenario, promotion of problem-based learning, more efficient assessment techniques and embarking on research at an early stage was felt by the students. Thus, this study highlights the essential need to restructure the present medical education system to cater to the student’s needs.
