Student's perception of utility and application of skills taught during the foundation course at a medical college in central Uttar Pradesh, India.

CONTEXT

"Foundation course" is an orientation program for MBBS students at time of entry into medical college.

AIMS

To study the MBBS student's perception of relevance and level of confidence in application of skills acquired in foundation course and its predictors.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A cross sectional study was done among second year MBBS students at a medical college in central Uttar Pradesh, India.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

Data was collected online using a Google form over 1 month. About 97 (out of 200) students participated in the study. Final analysis was done for 94 responses.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Chi Square test for proportions.

RESULTS

Overall 83% students found foundation course to be relevant. Sessions on professional development & ethics (94.6%), biomedical waste management (94.6%), social responsibility of doctors (91.5%), communication skill (93.6%), role and responsibilities of Indian Medical Graduate (93.6%), universal precautions (91.5%), immunisation (91.5%) and assessing E -resource (90.4%) were rated as most relevant. Computer skills and sports/extra-curricular activities were perceived as non-relevant by 29% and 16% students respectively. Overall 61% students were confident about application of knowledge/skills acquired in the foundation course. A significant difference was observed for gender and medium of education with regards to level of confidence in application of certain skills/knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

Foundation course was perceived as relevant by most students. However, level of confidence with regards to application of skills/knowledge was found to be variable with significant difference for some variables.