Self-directed learning readiness in MBBS students of private medical college in Bengaluru

Background: Self-directed learning has been recognized as a process in which students take initiative and responsibility for their own learning and curriculum based medical education also focuses on self-directed learning skills that medical students must inculcate to enable lifelong learning throughout their career. 

Aim and Objectives: This study intends to measure the self-directed learning readiness of the MBBS students and also to identify if there is any association between the self-directed readiness and student’s demographic characteristics. 

Materials and Methods: 644 medical students of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences at all levels of training participated in the study and their self-directed readiness was assessed using self-directed learning readiness scale (SDLRS) designed by Fisher et al. in 2001.

Results: The SDLR score was 147.35 ± 19.92 with 54.27% students scoring <150 indicating inadequate readiness. Among the three domains, the desire for learning score was the least with a mean of 43.68 ± 9.54. There was a significant drop in the mean SDLRS scores over the years of training. 

Conclusion: The reason for the progressive decrease in the SDLRS scores over the years of training could be because students focus mainly on passing exams with high grades rather than seeking knowledge. The results also point out that to promote SDL among students, we may need to change our current teaching and learning strategies.