Exploring challenges in learning and study skills among first-year medical students: a case study.


Journal

BMC medical education
ISSN: 1472-6920
Titre abrégé: BMC Med Educ
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101088679

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
12 Aug 2024
Historique:
received: 20 03 2024
accepted: 01 08 2024
medline: 13 8 2024
pubmed: 13 8 2024
entrez: 12 8 2024
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Despite being high-achieving students, many medical students face academic challenges, particularly during their first year of study. Research indicates that self-regulated learning, involving metacognitive processes and adaptive strategies, can positively influence academic achievement. This study aimed to assess the early learning and study skills of first-year medical students in an international medical school with the goal of developing a learner-centered educational intervention to promote self-regulated learning. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Learning and Study Skills Inventory (LASSI) questionnaire that was administered annually each August to first-year medical students from 2019 to 2022. The distribution of students across different percentile ranges for each selected variable was determined for each year and all years collectively. Students were counted within distinct percentile brackets (50th and below, between 51st and 75th, and above 75th ) for each variable. A total of 147 students completed the LASSI questionnaire over the 4-year time period. Using academic resources was the greatest concern, with 67% of students in the 50th or below percentile, followed by selecting the main idea (56%), motivation (51%), and concentration (50%). Attitude scored highest across all cohorts, scoring between 21.55 ± 0.73 and 26.49 ± 0.34. In comparing mean scores of LASSI variables across all cohorts, attitude, motivation, test-taking strategies, time management, and the use of academic resources differed significantly (p < 0.05). LASSI data can provide an early picture of students' support needs. We posit that early identification of student learning and study skills and areas of struggle can inform personalized educational interventions and programs to support first-year medical students.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Despite being high-achieving students, many medical students face academic challenges, particularly during their first year of study. Research indicates that self-regulated learning, involving metacognitive processes and adaptive strategies, can positively influence academic achievement. This study aimed to assess the early learning and study skills of first-year medical students in an international medical school with the goal of developing a learner-centered educational intervention to promote self-regulated learning.
METHODS METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Learning and Study Skills Inventory (LASSI) questionnaire that was administered annually each August to first-year medical students from 2019 to 2022. The distribution of students across different percentile ranges for each selected variable was determined for each year and all years collectively. Students were counted within distinct percentile brackets (50th and below, between 51st and 75th, and above 75th ) for each variable.
RESULTS RESULTS
A total of 147 students completed the LASSI questionnaire over the 4-year time period. Using academic resources was the greatest concern, with 67% of students in the 50th or below percentile, followed by selecting the main idea (56%), motivation (51%), and concentration (50%). Attitude scored highest across all cohorts, scoring between 21.55 ± 0.73 and 26.49 ± 0.34. In comparing mean scores of LASSI variables across all cohorts, attitude, motivation, test-taking strategies, time management, and the use of academic resources differed significantly (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION CONCLUSIONS
LASSI data can provide an early picture of students' support needs. We posit that early identification of student learning and study skills and areas of struggle can inform personalized educational interventions and programs to support first-year medical students.

Identifiants

pubmed: 39135001
doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-05850-z
pii: 10.1186/s12909-024-05850-z
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

869

Informations de copyright

© 2024. The Author(s).

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Auteurs

Siobhán O' Sullivan (S)

Department of Biological Sciences, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. siobhan.osullivan@ku.ac.ae.

Cynthia Al Hageh (CA)

Department of Medical Sciences, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Zakia Dimassi (Z)

Department of Medical Sciences, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Leen Oyoun Alsoud (LO)

Department of Medical Sciences, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Diane Presley (D)

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Halah Ibrahim (H)

Department of Medical Sciences, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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