Comparison study of learning motivation and the affect factors between Chinese and international medical students

Abstract

Objective This paper is to evaluate the status of medical students’ learning motivation, discuss the effect factors, analyze the difference of learning motivation between Chinese and foreign students, and analyze the relationship between self efficiency and social support so as to provide the evidences for actual application and educational reform. Methods 1000 Chinese and foreign undergraduates were randomly selected as the study object. A questionnaire of learning motivation was conducted to the students. The difference of learning motivation was analyzed and the relationship between self efficiency and social support was analyzed. Results The score of intrinsic motivation of Chinese students was 2.94±0.48 and the extrinsic motivation 5.35±0.88. They were lower than those of foreign students, 3.20±0.36 and 5.54±0.74 (P<0.01) respectively. The self efficiency scores of Chinese and foreign students were 26.82±6.30 and 30.28±4.03 respectively, and they had a significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusions The status of Chinese medical students’ learning motivation was lower while the foreign students was higher. Self efficiency had a positive effect on medical students’ learning motivation and social support had a negative one. Key words: Medical students; International medical students; Learning motivation; Effecting factors; Self efficiency; Social support