MOTIVATED TO SUCCEED: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MEDICAL SCHOOLS.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore academic motivation among first-year medical students, examining differences in motivation levels based on gender, type of medical school, and living arrangement. Materials and Methods: A total of 192 first-year medical students participated in the survey with an equal number of responses from public and private medical schools in this cross-sectional survey. The study utilized the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) to assess academic motivation levels. The independent sample t-test was used to examine diff erences in academic motivation between groups. Results: The mean score for academic motivation among participants was 136.94 ± 20.974, with no significant diff erence between male and female students. Private medical school students had a higher overall mean score of academic motivation than public medical school students, although the difference was not statistically significant. Private medical school students scored higher in the Intrinsic Motivation - To Know (p-value<0.001), and Intrinsic Motivation - To Experience Stimulation (p-value=0.001) subscales. Public medical school students scored higher in the Extrinsic Motivation - Introjected subscale. Hostellers and day scholars showed no significant difference in overall academic motivation. Conclusion: The study provides insights into the academic motivation of first-year medical students. No signifi cant differences were found in the overall academic motivation scores of different demographic groups of the students. However, differences were observed in the subscale scores of students. Private sector medical students and male students scored higher in Intrinsic Motivation - to know and experience stimulation than public sector medical students and female students respectively.