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Medical student characteristics associated with time in study: is spending more time always a good thing?
Tim J Wilkinson1, J Elisabeth Wells, John A Bushnell
1Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand. tim.wilkinson@chmeds.ac.nz
Background:
Time in study may reflect motivation, but may also reflect inefficient study habits.
Purpose:
To determine how time in study relates to motivation and study approaches.
Methods:
A total of 173 fourth- and fifth-year students in a six-year curriculum completed diaries over seven consecutive days. Time studying was correlated with motivation and approaches to study.
Results:
Time in study correlated with achieving motive, achieving strategy, deep strategy, motivation and planning/organisation. Deep motive correlated with time on assignments. Students who were less certain they wanted to work as a doctor undertook less study activity and spent less time with patients. Students who lacked confidence they would make a good doctor spent more time in non-timetabled discretionary study but also spent less time with patients.
Conclusion:
A desire to achieve, certainty of career choice and lack of confidence are associated with time in study. Unconfident students divert their time away from patients.
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