Perception of 1 MBBS students about educational environment through ‘DREEM’ questionnaire

In an undergraduate (UG) medical education program, the educational environment is a critical factor of effective outcomes. Because it is a proven approach for this assessment in medical schools, the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) was employed in this study.1. To assess the student’s perception of the educational environment using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire among 1st-year undergraduate medical students. 2. To identify the strengths and weaknesses in student’s educational environment.A cross-sectional study was carried out among first-year medical students. To obtain student perceptions of the educational environment, a widely accepted DREEM questionnaire was employed. The DREEM questionnaire is divided into five sections, each of which has 50 statements that are rated on a five-point Likert scale (0–4). The questionnaire was distributed to consented individuals (n=150) after receiving ethical approval. The filled questions were collected and statistically evaluated. The data were presented as mean and standard deviation, frequency, and percentages. The responses were analyzed and interpreted using McAleer and Roff's practical recommendations.There was a 100% response rate. The average DREEM score was 124.9 ± 50 (62.46%). Among the five DREEM dimensions, students' perceptions of learning received the highest score (65.63%), while students' perceptions of the environment received the lowest (59.31 %).Statements “I have good friends in this college”, “My social life is good” and “I am confident about passing this year” scored ≥ 3 of 4 points.“A more positive than negative perception,” according to the total mean DREEM score. Student confidence, social life, instructor knowledge, encouragement to participate in a teaching session, teacher preparedness, and having excellent friends on campus received the most positive answers. However, there is space for development in areas where there is a lack of expertise, such as student ennui and creative teaching.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practices of research among faculties in medical college

Medical research aims to advance knowledge, skills, and professionalism. Lack of research could lead to the demise of the profession as a viable discipline. Research orientation is a concept that incorporates four subscales and provides insight into faculties' overall perception of research. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding research and to identify barriers for research among medical faculty. Our study is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study covering 110 faculties of medical college. Data collection was done through the Edmonton research orientation survey (EROS), a pre-validated tool. EROS questionnaire consists of 50 questions in two sections –the first section containing demographic variables (12 questions) and the second section (consist of 38 items) asks the respondents to rate on a five-point Likert’s scale. A high response rate (90.9%) was achieved. Sixty-five percent of respondents achieved an overall medium EROS score and 33% of respondents achieved a high EROS score (mean Eros score 132.3+21.7) indicating high research orientation. Respondents showed high subscale scores: valuing research (63%) and being at the leading edge of the profession (66%). While involvement in research (47%) and evidence-based practice (53%) scored lower. The study highlighted important barriers like lack of time, skills and support. The results suggest that although faculties value research they engage less in carrying out and applying research. The positive research orientation provides an opportunity for the profession to use the available potential to increase research output.

Teaching learning process in ancient ayurvedic text - Charak Samhita

The word Ayurveda consists of two words ‘Ayu’ means life and ‘Veda’ means knowledge. Therefore the word Ayurveda, means knowledge of life i.e. study of life. In Ayurveda the teaching and learning was based on “Gurukula” system of education. A “Gurukula” was a place where a teacher (Guru) and students lived together. There were three ways for obtaining the knowledge i.e. Adhyayanam (Study/learning), Adhyapanam (teaching) and Tadvid Sambhasha (discussions) with the learned persons. Ayurveda suggest that in order to get expertise in any subject one should have the basic knowledge of the concepts. Other teaching and learning methods should be adopted which help to acquire more and accurate knowledge in that subject while practical training should be provided for application of that knowledge. Study of a single science gives only limited understanding, therefore one should also get knowledge of other sciences. To explain different concepts in Ayurveda Acharya Charak has given various methods of teaching and learning. The Roots of most of the current teaching methodology resides in ancient teaching and learning skills. Hence here is an attempt to review various teaching, learning methods used in Charak Samhita. Teaching learning process is very well applied in Charak Samhita. It is the very first school of Ayurveda with various techniques and scholarly approach of subjects to students. Charak Samhita develops its own teaching learning process. It is the most important text in the field of Ayurveda Teaching Learning Process.

Comparison of structured interactive lecture (SIL) and flipped classroom method (FCM) in learning ophthalmology topics among undergraduate medical students

Structured interactive lectures (SIL) and Flipped classroom methods (FCM) are newer teaching learning methods which utilise pedagogical way of teaching. This study intends to compare efficacy of both methods in the understanding of ophthalmology topics among undergraduate novice. To compare the effectiveness in learning, conduct of classes and perception of students regarding both methods.: Quasi experimental study. Duration – 6 months. Population- 6 sem students, sample size – 45 in each group. Three topics selected (of varying complexities) and taught by SIL and FCM method. Pretest and posttest were conducted to assess the knowledge acquired. Feedback regarding the conduct of both sessions were taken in Likert’s scale. Perception comparing both techniques were also evaluated. Difference between pretest scores were not significant. Difference between pretest and posttest scores were significant. SIL is better than FCM for undergraduate students posted for the first time in ophthalmology department. The students were enthusiastic with both methods. FCM was prefered by the students for motivation, subject retention, topic simplification and subject interest. The students narratives are discussed. Structured interactive lectures are better for improving knowledge. Flipped classrooms kept students active. A hybrid method maybe more effective. Long term followup is needed to evaluate recall and performance in exams.

Paradigm shift in teaching-learning from classroom to virtual mode – Challenges and opportunities

Since the unprecedented declaration of lockdown there has been a paradigm shift in medical education from chalk and board to virtual mode imposing both challenges and opportunities to faculty and students alike. As guest lecture is an innovative way of pedagogy we addressed them through an online talk to analyse the preferences towards sudden change in medical education. Students and faculty were addressed about the paradigm shift in teaching learning methods through an online guest lecture and the attendees answered a feedback questionnaire on different Teaching Learning methods. Based on responses to the questions results were plotted in Microsoft Excel and completed questionnaires were analyzed for statistics. : 90% of students and 100% of faculty found online guest lecture interesting and opined positively about having more online lectures in academic year. As far as teaching learning method is concerned both faculty and as students preferred offline/ traditional/ classroom teaching. : Online guest lecture offers more opportunities than challenges for both faculty and students. Arranging online guest lectures is economical, cost effective, has ease of attending from place of convenience provided robust internet connection is ensured, eliminates travel time as well as reduces the programme budget. Hence more number of virtual guest lectures can be arranged in an academic year for benefit of medical undergraduates. It is a novel platform for student teacher interaction and arrangement of more and more online guest lectures from eminent speakers excelling in various superspecialities should be encouraged.

Face to face education to virtual classroom in the health sector during covid pandemic

The lockdown posed a great impact on teaching and learning process which aided in the shift of face to face education to virtual classroom. As the e- learning was newly introduced, it was difficult to execute initially due to prior unpreparedness. We put forth this study to analyse student's perspective and challenges faced in online education during pandemic times.The study was done in medical and allied health science colleges of Chennai and Puducherry. This is cross-sectional study conducted between June and August 2020. This is an online survey conducted through google forms circulated to undergraduates and post graduates of medical and allied health science courses. Frequencies and percentages were used to express the data. Statistical Analyses were done by SPSS software and graphs were made by Microsoft excel. We received response from 419 participants. Mobile phone was the widely used gadget to access online class. Most of the institutes conducted online class daily and assessment twice weekly. In student’s point of view, though e- learning had several disadvantages like poor net connectivity, clinical training inadequacy, difficulty in attending class for longer duration and unfavourable learning environment, it proved constructive at pandemic time. On improvement in the design of the learning environment and teaching system, the online learning platform would better to serve its purpose in future pandemic.

S-5 formula for leadership development

Leadership is an area of perennial interest cutting across all fields of knowledge, including health sciences. The current models of leadership emphasize the skills and techniques derived from behavioural sciences and management. S-5 Formula is a developmental model, evidenced by learning theories and anchored in ancient Indian wisdom. The leadership journey begins by Setting a high goal (Sankalpa) to achieve something big, different and useful. This journey is aided by a Self- study and reflection (Swadhyaya). It gains Synergy (Satsanga) through collaborative learning, mentoring and feedback. The next phase is Service (Seva). Finally, the leader does act of Surrender (Samarpan), giving back to the society thus becoming an instrument of change. The theoretical framework behind these components and their implications for practice have been discussed.

Giving feedback in the new CBME curriculum paradigm: Principles, models and situations where feedback can be given

The new competency based medical education represents a paradigm shift from a teacher centered to a student centered learning of outcome competencies paradigm and so both the students and the teachers are unfamiliar with it. Giving and receiving feedback is central to the competency development framework. Only through frequent, timely and appropriate feedback there will be effective development of cognitive competence in its lead up to performance of competence. These concepts are illustrated to convey the importance of giving feedback to students. As the teachers are expected to practice giving feedback to students, they were opportunistically asked prior to a faculty development workshop what their priority learning needs about giving feedback are. Based on this a focused review of literature was done to collect the information on the various models of giving feedback, the principles for giving feedback, the possible situations in curriculum delivery where teachers can and should give feedback to students.The literature revealed some good practice models for giving feedback to the naïve as well as the mature students in ambulatory and clinical teaching settings as well as on their performance as revealed by their test results. Models of counseling which has strong element of feedback on the learner’s performance and helping them choose the way forward after identifying the problem is also shared.