Standard and utility of lectures: views and opinions of undergraduate medical students

ABSTRACT

A survey study was carried out to determine the views of our undergraduate medical students regarding the quality and usefulness of the lectures attended by them so that feedback obtained could be used to make the lectures more effective and beneficial mode of instruction in undergraduate medical education. The study involved final year students of Fatima Jinnah Medical College For Women, Lahore. A self administered questionnaire was prepared containing the questions regarding various aspects of the content, organization and mode of delivery of the presented lectures. About 72% students said that lectures should be upgraded to ensure their utility. A significant percentage of the participants found pitfalls in the content and presentation of the lectures delivered to them. According to 67% to 77% respondents, lectures were not prepared in a clearly understandable pattern and the lecturers were more interested in dictating their notes rather than explaining or discussing the subject. Very little effort was demonstrated as far as active learning process was concerned. Main objective of the lecturing session seemed just to fulfil the University requirement as voiced by 86% students. Consideration should be given to the feed back obtained and follow-up studies should be carried out so that effective lecturing skills could be developed and practiced