Learning experience and expectations of first MBBS students:A questionnaire based survey.

ABSTRACT

Background: With educational shift, towards active, reflective, student led learning, the outcome of traditional, teacher centred and outcome oriented approach needs to be studied. Feedback questionnaire is a useful tool in this context. Objectives: This paper reports first year MBBS student’s experiences and preferences regarding teaching, learning and assessment methods as well as the desirable qualities of a good teacher, with the objective of using these for effective teaching. Method: Structured validated questionnaire was administered to first year students (n=90) and pertained to the various aspects of teaching and evaluation in the Department of Physiology. Results: Medical student’s favoured interactive lectures(80%), shorter duration (65%), self study (46%), and clinical orientation (54%).They appreciated audiovisual aids (90%), applied physiology (83%), frequent evaluation (46%), the preferred mode of assessment was Short questions(SAQ) and Multiple choice questions(MCQ) (74%). Qualities highly rated in a teacher were teaching skills, knowledge and approachability. Absenteeism was largely attributed to tiring schedule and priority to self study (56%). Conclusion:Short interactive sessions, use of multimedia, clinically oriented preclinical years, MCQs and SAQs are preferred by students. Hence optimum utilization of teaching hours with a learner oriented approach involving various strategies of teaching and evaluation can enhance its effectiveness.