Influyen las características psicológicas y los estilos de aprendizaje en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de medicina? Un estudio retrospectivo / The influence of phychological features and learning styles on the academic performance of medical students

BACKGROUND: The degree of difficulty we experience while learning different concepts and skills depends, among other things, on our psychological features and learning style. This may be particularly true for medical students, whose formation involves the acquisition of multiple cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills. AIM: To assess whether the psychological features and learning styles of medical students are associated with their academic performance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The psychological preferences and learning styles of 66 students of the 2001-graduating cohort were determined with the Myers Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) and the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (LSI), respectively. The academic performance was assessed by the Calificación Médica Nacional (CMN), Chile and by the marks obtained during the Basic (1st to 3rd), Preclinical (4th and 5th) and Clinical (6th and 7th) years of undergraduate training. RESULTS: The psychological features, together with the sex of students were found to be associated with the performance in the Preclinical and Clinical years, and to the CMN. In men, the interest and ability to communicate with people and the concern for harmony, and in women the tendency to function in a systematic and orderly way are the features associated to high academic performance. No associations were found between learning styles and academic performance. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that the psychological preferences of medical students are relevent to their academic performance opens a new perspective to analyze the medical education and to design programs aimed at improving learning.

Tipos psicológicos y estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes que ingresan a medicina en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile / Psychological types and learning styles of students entering medical school at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

BACKGROUND: Psychological type and learning style influence the way students perceive and process information. However, research in medical education in Chile still does not put enough emphasis in the study of these variables. AIM: To characterize the psychological types and learning styles of the students admitted to a Medical School. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory (IEA) were administered to the 270 students admitted from 2000 to 2002 to the medical school of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. RESULTS: Fifty five percent of our students are concentrated in 4 of the 16 psychological types described. These students are characterized by the ability to base their decisions upon logical and objective reasoning (Thinking [T]) and to face life in a structured and decided way (Judging [J]). Only 10 per cent of the students have preferences opposite to T and J. These students base their decisions on the preservation of harmony and teamwork (Feeling [F]) and have a flexible attitude towards life (Perceiving [P]). The remaining 35 per cent have types with pairs of preferences TP and FJ. With regard to learning styles, more than two thirds of our students are Assimilators or Convergers. These learners tend to assimilate large amounts of information and abstract the main concepts, rather than to pay attention to concrete details. In general, our students are more reflective than active; they evaluate thoroughly all alternatives before making a decision. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological types and learning styles of medical students cluster around specific patterns whose features may either favor or hamper a specific learning. Knowledge of the differences in psychological types and learning styles of students may provide teachers with a new and valuable tool for improving learning and contributing to the academic success of students.