Surgeons' Learning Style in Comparison to Their Medical Colleagues

Abstract

Objectives: To present the learning style of surgeons and compare it to their medical colleagues. Methods: This study was conducted at King Hussein Medical Center between 1-15/July 2014. An equal number of randomly selected surgeons and physicians received Honey and Mumford learning style questionnaire. The participants were asked to fill the questionnaire with their name initials, age, gender, specialty (surgeon or physician) and scientific medical level (specialist or consultant). The results between these two groups were compared using statistical methods. Results: A total number of 40 participants filled the questionnaire, 20 in each group. Thirty six (90%) were males, with a mean age of 37.6 years (SD ± 6.32). There were 7 consultants and 33 specialists. The majority (80-90%) of surgeons and physicians showed reflector and theorist learning styles. When grouping them into activist/ pragmatist, reflector/ theorist or mixed learning styles; 80% of surgeons and 90% of physicians demonstrated mixed learning style. Conclusion: Both surgeons and physicians demonstrated a mixed learning style. This means that doctors in both specialties use all four learning styles which inevitably will bring the best learning results. We suggest the application and appreciation of all learning styles in the surgical curriculum as the most educational and practical approach.