ASSESSMENT OF STUDY SKILLS OF FIFTH TERM MEDICAL STUDENTS  AN EXPERIENCE AT A PRIVATE MEDICAL COLLEGE

Dr. Kanmani T.R; Dr. Chitra Nagaraj; Dr. P. Marimuthu; Dr Malathi. T

Volume : V, Issue : IX, September - 2016

ASSESSMENT OF STUDY SKILLS OF FIFTH TERM MEDICAL STUDENTS AN EXPERIENCE AT A PRIVATE MEDICAL COLLEGE

Dr. Kanmani T. R, Dr. Chitra Nagaraj, Dr. P. Marimuthu, Dr Malathi. T

Abstract :

Introduction: Transitions from high school to medical education is difficult for students and also sudden increase in the learning content is extremely challenging. Therefore they need to acclimatize new learning skills to restore the learning in the medical education. Objectives: To analyse the study skills of the fifth term students and also to find out reasons for good and poor study skills by individual interviews. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross–sectional research design involving 116 fifth term medical students studying at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) and Research Centre, Bengaluru. Data collected by using personal profile questionnaires and Dennis H Congos Study Skills Inventory (DCSSI)1. Appropriate statistical test were applied. 44 students were selected based on their higher and lower percentage in the first year exams (22 students) and in the study skills inventory (22 students). These students were individually interviewed and their higher and lower performance was identified. Results: A total number of 116 students participated in this study. Among them mean age of boys were 20.56 (n=59), Girls were with the mean age of 21.4 (n=57). The percentage of marks obtained in PU board exam was reflected in the increasing performance of first year MBBS exam.Mean score of note taking, test preparation and time management is significantly different between male and female students where female mean score is higher than male mean scores. The observed means of Text book, note taking, memory, test preparation and time management skills were not statistically significant except concentration skills (P= 0.014) among the categories based on the marks obtained in the first year MBBS examination Conclusion: In the current research, study skills among male and female students were significantly different in the area of note taking, test preparations and time management. Study skills can be improved among students with multimodal learning. Regular study skill training would help them in improving their academic performance.