Introduction: Despite being a certifiable competency, students find it difficult to learn communication skills effectively. Learner initiated individualized strategies can be developed by students by making utmost use of strengths and opportunities while minimizing the weaknesses and threats. Application of SWOT analysis (strength, weakness, opportunities and threats analysis) by students for establishing learning strategies could be evaluated for its effectiveness in improving learning outcomes. Methods: After seeking IEC approval, baseline formative assessment for prescription communication was conducted. Participants were briefed about SWOT and were helped with plotting SWOT tables and building individual strategies. After one month, second formative assessment was conducted. Outcomes of two assessments were compared. Students’ perception of utility of SWOT analysis was assessed by scoring on a 6 point likert scale. Results: 83 participants who consented to participate in the study and present for all 4 sessions conducted were enrolled. There was a significant improvement in post test scores from mean of 5 (1.02 SD) to 7 (0.4 SD). 98% of students scored a 3 or more on likert scale indicated a positive perception of utility of SWOT analysis based strategies in improving learning outcomes. Discussion: Educational research studies based on SWOT analysis has been used for situational analysis as well as to develop strategic countermeasures in medical education but not for leverage of learning outcomes. Conclusion: SWOT analysis for strategy building to improve learning outcomes of prescription communication in medical students is effective as well as perceived as an important tool by students.
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