Crossword puzzles: self-learning tool in pharmacology.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pharmacology
• Cognitive Learning Strategies

Background:

• Pharmacology is perceived as difficult by medical students due to challenges in remembering drug names.
• Effective self-learning tools are needed to enhance drug name retention in medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of crossword puzzles as a self-learning tool for improving pharmacology students' recall of drug names.
• To assess student satisfaction with crossword puzzles as a learning aid.

Main Methods:

• An open-label randomized study involved 70 second-year MBBS students divided into an intervention group (crossword puzzles) and a control group.
• Pre- and post-tests assessed knowledge, with the intervention group using crossword puzzles for antihypertensive and antiepileptic drugs.
• Student perceptions were gathered via a 10-item questionnaire, including Likert scale and open-ended questions.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed significantly higher post-test scores (12.87) compared to the control group (9.74) (p < 0.001).
• Absolute learning gain was 33.9% in the crossword puzzle group versus 18.55% in the control group.
• 71.43% of students agreed crossword puzzles enhanced drug name recall, and 85.71% found them a good self-learning activity.

Conclusions:

• Crossword puzzles are an effective tool for improving drug name retention in pharmacology training.
• Students found crossword puzzles to be a challenging, effective, and acceptable self-learning and recreational activity.
• This active learning strategy promotes self-directed learning and enhances memory recall for medical students.