Author/Authors :
Almoallim, H. King Faisal Specialist Hospital - Department of Medicine, Saudi Arabia , Almoallim, H. Umm Alqura University - Medical College - Department of Medicine, Saudi Arabia , Aldahlawi, S. International Medical Center - Department of Dentistry, Saudi Arabia , Alqahtani, E. National Guard Hospital - Department of Radiology, Saudi Arabia , Alqurashi, S. Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital - Department of Internal Medicine, Saudi Arabia , Munshi, A. National Guard Hospital - Department of Family Medicine, Saudi Arabia
Abstract :
This study investigated medical students’ study habits and perceptions of learning difficulties during their first year of study. A specially-designed questionnaire was answered by 165 second-year medical and medical science students at Umm Alqura University in Saudi Arabia. Out of the 7 difficulties listed in the questionnaire, students ranked peer competition first, followed by poor English language skills. Male students ranked peer competition as the top difficulty whereas females ranked it fourth. A majority of students were dissatisfied with the passive, lecture-based method of teaching and wanted the English language curriculum to be improved by more emphasis on conversation skills. Early introduction of the concept of active learning and effective studying habits is needed.
