Learners' Perception of the Applicability of Pre-clinical Subjects to Clinical Training and Experience in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Abstract

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction: This study investigated how Final Year Students and Newly qualified Doctors of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Medical School perceive the applicability of the three pre-clinical subjects (Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology) to clinical studies and medical practice with the aim of ascertaining whether or not the students are able to establish a real connect between knowledge acquired in the pre-clinical years and their experience during clinical exposure. Methods: A cross sectional study involving 106 final year medical students and 81 interns was conducted using convenience sampling method. Data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and 10 items regarding perception of the relevance of basic medical courses to clinical training experience. Responses were rated using a 5 point Likert scale, which ranged from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree". Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics and values expressed as mean of scores. Results: Overall mean scores for anatomy, biochemistry and physiology were 26.4 ± 0.32, 25.7 ± 0.29 and 28.1 ± 0.31 respectively. Thus, physiology was rated as having the highest applicability with the highest score in 4 out of 10 items. Biochemistry had the lowest score for the item "I remember most of the content of the course even now". Newly qualified Doctors were found to have a more positive perception of anatomy and biochemistry than final year medical students. All Subjects were scored high (average of 3-0/4.0) on items having to do with introduction of curriculum integration and clinical studies to teaching. Conclusion: Findings from the study suggest that the responses of the subjects were based more on their ability to understand and recall content, rather than how relevant the subjects are to their clinical experience. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to embrace integration of the curriculum and introduce more learner-centered teaching methods.