Assessment of effectiveness of different teaching methodologies and perception about pharmacology among 2nd year dental students: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

CONTEXT: Reviewing the teaching programs by taking feedback from the students at regular intervals gives us input into the strength of the pharmacology curriculum so that necessary reforms can be undertaken to improve students' performance. AIMS: This study aims to obtain feedback from 2nd year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students regarding their preferred teaching method and their perception about pharmacology. SETTING: A study done at Mallareddy Dental College for Women (MRMCW), Hyderabad. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prevalidated questionnaire containing 17 questions with 2–6 options each were administered to 73 2nd year BDS students studying at MRMCW, Hyderabad. The data so obtained were entered into Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis was done. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of the data. RESULTS: The majority (84%) of students preferred lecture as their preferred teaching method in Pharmacology. Most students wanted lecturers to use liquid crystal display (LCD) projection while taking class (37.8%). 70.8% of students did not prefer studying in tutorials while 29% of them wanted tutorials. The majority of students (57.1%) wanted revision classes regularly after completion of each system, and 84.7% of students wanted pharmacology practicals to be a combination of pharmacy practicals with clinically oriented classes and 93% of them wanted pharmacology to be integrated with medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Lectures using LCD projection was the preferred mode of learning in this setting. There is a need to incorporate more clinically oriented exercises in pharmacology practicals to prepare the students toward being a competent dentist.