Readiness for self-directed learning among undergraduate medical students of Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam

Abstract

Background: Self-directed learning (SDL) has been identified as an important skill for medical graduates. To meet the challenges in today's healthcare environment, self-directed learning is most essential. Readiness for SDL is the degree to which an individual possesses attitudes and abilities necessary for SDL. The present study was taken to assess the self-directed learning readiness (SDLR) among 4th semester medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The objectives of the study were to assess the self-directed learning readiness among 4th semester undergraduate medical students of Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam using SDLR instrument; to find out the association if any between readiness for SDL and students’ demographic characteristics.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 4th semester undergraduate medical students of Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in the month of June 2016 to assess the self-directed learning readiness, using Fishers’40–item self-directed learning readiness scale (SDLRS) which contains 3 domains. The student’s response was collected in a 5‑point Likert scale. The readiness for SDL was categorized as high (>150 scores) and low (<150).Results: The mean SDLRS score was 145.17±18.181 with 105 (64%) students scoring <150 indicating low readiness. The mean sores in the 3 domains of self-management (SM), desire for learning (DL), self-control (SC) were 43.81±7.134, 45.88±6.916, and 55.26±8.296 respectively.Conclusions: Self-directed learning readiness appeared to be low among medical students. This study points out the need to address SDL skills among medical students, and need to find ways to build SDL skills among them.