Background: The spine of a good healthcare system is the medical education received by its doctors. As medicine is evolving, the same can be inferred regarding the delivery of medical education. This study was conducted among 541 students in a prestigious medical college in India. The aim of the study was to find out lapses in our current medical education system and steps to improve it.
Methods: A total of 541 medical students were included in this study. The only inclusion criteria being that they should be in their 2nd year MBBS or above. A questionnaire of 20 questions was given to each student and they were asked to mark the answers they felt was most appropriate. The questionnaire dealt with issues faced in our current education system regarding teaching methodology, clinical postings, research, evidence based medicine and steps to improve the healthcare system. Data was collected, analysed and statistically evaluated using Microsoft Excel and SPS version 21.0.
Results: Majority of the students felt that classroom strength should not be more than a hundred students. They felt that more innovative teaching methods and discussions should be included. Students laid emphasis on research, clinical skills training and evidence based medicine. They felt that the healthcare system also needs tweaking in terms of funding and practicing evidence based medicine to be on par with healthcare systems across the world.
Conclusion: The results in this study, resonates with the results of various other studies regarding delivery of medical education. It also takes into account the holistic approach of improving medical education and healthcare rather than focusing on one single aspect.
Overcoming Barriers in a Traditional Medical Education System by the Stepwise, Evidence-Based Introduction of a Modern Learning Technology