Gender differences in learning styles and academic performance of medical students in Saudi Arabia

Background: The alleged link between handedness and learning is debatable. Studies unveil that handedness has a way of influencing learning and affects the academic performance of students. Despite the researchers pointing out that handedness influences the brain organization and function, teaching strategies have largely ignored this fact. The concept of using various sensory modalities as a part of learning has not been comprehended well. The aim of the study is to find out the prevalence of handedness among our medical students and to look onto the types of learning styles amongst them and to determine the correlation between handedness with learning styles.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among hundred medical students using handgrip dynamometer for handedness and VARK questionnaire (Visual, auditory, read/write, kinesthetic; a validated tool that helps one to identify the most preferred sensory modality for learning) for determining the learning preference. Data was analysed using univariate and bivariate analysis through cross tabulation and Pearson chi square test using SPSS version 20.Results: Right handers preferred VARK with dominancy for auditory learning styles, left handers preferred VARK with dominancy for auditory and kinesthetic learning styles while ambidextrous prefer visual learning styles.Conclusions: The awareness of the association of handedness with various learning styles and its implications on academic performance should be at the forefront of teaching strategies adopted by teachers. Hence, we conclude that to be an effective learner, the learning needs have to be understood and cater to by the trainers.

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Epidemiology of Burnout and Its Association with Academic Performance Among Medical Students at Hail University, Saudi Arabia

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ] ◽

10.18295/squmj.2021.21.02.011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. e231-236

Author(s):

Ahmed H Aljadani ◽

Ahmed Alsolami ◽

Samiah Almehmadi ◽

Ahmed Alhuwaydi ◽

Anas Fathuldeen

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Medical Students ◽

Emotional Exhaustion ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Student Survey ◽

Grade Point ◽

Professional Efficacy

Objectives: Burnout syndrome is a condition that is well-documented globally among medical students and affects their academic performance due to high levels of associated stress and psychiatric morbidities. This study aimed to assess burnout prevalence and predictors along with its association with academic performance among medical students at Hail University, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of medical students was conducted between May and June 2019 at the Medical College at Hail University. The English version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)-Student Survey was used to assess the three components of burnout syndrome— cynicism, emotional exhaustion and professional efficacy. A fixed-model multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted for each of the three MBI components’ levels and for total burnout to identify factors significantly associated with burnout syndrome. Results: A total of 218 students were included in this study (response rate: 53.8%). The majority of participants were female (n = 121; 55.5%) medical students ranging between 21–24 years of age. High emotional exhaustion, high cynicism and low professional efficacy was found among 79.4%, 61.0%, and 37.6%, respectively, of respondents. The overall prevalence of high burnout was 27.1% (n = 59). Female students were at almost double the risk for high emotional exhaustion compared to male students (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–4.34; P = 0.034). Students with grade point averages (GPA; on a four-point scale) ranging between 3.51–4.0 were considerably less prone (83% less risk) to experience burnout as compared to students with a GPA ≤2.0 (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03–0.91, P = 0.039). Conclusion: High levels of overall burnout were reported among Hail University medical students. Students with a higher GPA, however, were found to be less prone to burnout. Keywords: Burnout Syndrome; Medical Students; Fatigue; Stress; Saudi Arabia.

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Impact of COVID-19 on psychological and academic performance of medical students in Saudi Arabia

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care ◽

10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1004_21 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 3857

Author(s):

WahajA Altalhi ◽

AhmadA Allah ◽

NadaE Algethami ◽

RahmaA Algethami ◽

RaghadH ALAyyubi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Medical Students

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Internet Use and Addiction Among Medical Students in Qassim University, Saudi Arabia

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ] ◽

10.18295/squmj.2019.19.02.010 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 142

Author(s):

Mohamed H. Taha ◽

Khalid Shehzad ◽

Ahmed S. Alamro ◽

Majed Wadi

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Medical Students ◽

Internet Addiction ◽

Internet Use ◽

Well Being ◽

Questionnaire Response ◽

Chi Square ◽

Clinical Phase ◽

Late Night

ABSTRACT: Objectives: This study aimed to measure the prevalence of Internet use and addiction and determine its association with gender, academic performance and health among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectionalstudy was conducted between December 2017 and April 2018 at the College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. The validated Internet Addiction Test questionnaire was distributed by simple random methods to medical students (N = 216) in the pre-clinical phase (first-, second- and third-years). A chi-square test was used to determine significant relationships between Internet use and addiction and gender, academic performance and health. Results: A total of 209 student completed the questionnaire (response rate: 96.8%) and the majority (57.9%) were male. In total, 12.4% were addicted to the Internet and 57.9 had the potential to become addicted. Females were more frequent Internet users than males (P = 0.006). Academic performance was affected in 63.1% of students and 71.8% lost sleep due to late-night Internet use, which affected their attendance to morning activities. The majority (59.7%) expressed feeling depressed, moody or nervous when they were offline. Conclusion: Internet addiction among medical students at Qassim University was very high, with addiction affecting academic performance and psychological well-being. Suitable interventional and preventive measures are needed for proper Internet use to protect students’ mental and physical health.Keywords: Internet; Addictive Behavior; Medical Students; Universities; Academic Performance; Saudi Arabia.

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