Role of tutors' training in delivering effective medical education

ABSTRACT

To determine the effectiveness of training of the tutors to conduct small group tutorial sessions. A descriptive study one hundred and thirty nine students of first till fourth year of MBBS course, were introduced to the subject/topic and the learning objectives. In the following week, they attended small group sessions arranged for their respective subjects. Trained tutors were identified on the basis of having taken the tutor training course/workshops arranged by College of Physician and Surgeons, Pakistan. The tutors conducted the small group tutorial sessions as per their assignment. At the end of tutorial sessions the students were asked to complete a questionnaire encompassing the learning outcomes of the students and behaviors of the tutor during the tutorial classes. Learning outcomes were compared using Pearson test. The motivation of the students and their clarification of concepts increased significantly by attending the tutorial sessions with trained tutors [trained 77.7% vs. un-trained 21.58% p<0.005 and trained 80.58% vs. un-trained 19.42% p<0.005 respectively]. Trained tutors facilitated the sessions in such a way that students discussed themselves and found their own queries help in the clarification of the concepts more efficiently. Effective faculty development program should be designed and implemented to enhance the learning process of the students by trained facilitators