Evaluation of Self-directed Learning Readiness among Students of Medicine and Allied Branches in South Kashmir, India

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of Self-directed Learning (SDL) is to motivate the undergraduate student to become a lifelong learner who plays an active role in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. With the implementation of competency based medical education (CBME) in 2019, SDL has become an integral part of the curriculum hence it is important to know whether our students are ready for it or not. Aim: To assess the readiness of the students of Medical College and college of Nursing and Paramedical sciences, Government medical college, Anantnag for SDL. Materials and Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 295 undergraduate medical and paramedical students of Government medical college, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Williamson’s SDL readiness scale (SDLRS) was provided to the students who were instructed to describe themselves by indicating on the Likert scale, the extent to which the item best described their personal attitude. The score ranges from 60 to 300. Data was calculated in form of frequency (n) and percentages (%) and was analysed by using Pearson Chi-square test. Results: Out of the 295 students (150 were boys and 145 were girls, 195 medical and 100 paramedical students), mean age 19.07±0.762 years, who took part in the study, 40% (N=118) had high readiness scores, 52.88% (N=156) had moderate score and 7.12% (N=21) had low score. A total of 45.52 % (N=66) of girls had high readiness as compared to 34.66% (N=52) boys. Nursing and paramedical students appeared to be more ready for SDL than Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students as 52% (N=52) of nursing and paramedical students had a high score whereas only 33.85 % (N=66) of medical students had a high score and this difference was statistically significant (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Most of the medical and paramedical students seem to be ready for self-directed learning and paramedics are more ready for SDL than medical students. Female students seem to be more receptive for SDL as compared to male students.