An Analysis of the Efficacy of Different Teaching Modalities

Overview

Didactic lectures are the currently used mode of imparting training to medical students. Use of other modes of teaching like simulation is still in its infancy. Simulation, as a teaching tool may aid in longer retention of the learning contents and also provides a safe environment for the students to practice their skills after knowledge acquisition. The aim of the study is to analyze the efficacy of different teaching modalities in imparting a particular skill, namely adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which is a life saving skill in first year medical students. The study population includes all the first year MBBS students and the duration of the study is 1 month. A clarity as to which mode of teaching will be ideal for memory retention is the expected outcome of this study.

Introduction Our current medical curriculum devotes a large percentage of its time to knowledge acquisition by means of didactic lectures. Psychomotor skill acquisition takes a back seat. Certain lifesaving skills like basic life support skill training have not even made an appearance in the current curriculum. Equal time distribution to cognitive and psychomotor skills should be allotted for a subject as practical as MBBS .Simulation can prove to be a valuable tool in imparting skill training. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of different teaching modalities in imparting lifesaving skills in first year MBBS students. Methods This Cross sectional study is conducted among 33 first year students who consented to participate. Institutional ethics clearance was also obtained. The students were divided into three groups, each undergoing didactic lecture, animation based videos and simulation studies. Pretest, posttest and skills test was administered to them. One way anova, Paired t test were some of the statistical test employed using SPSS version 21.

Conditions