Student-led objective tutorials in Pharmacology: An interventional study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pharmacology Pedagogy

Background:

• Active learning strategies enhance student comprehension in medical education.
• Conventional tutorials may not fully engage students or optimize learning outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the efficacy of student-led objective tutorials (SLOTs) in pharmacology.
• To compare SLOTs with conventional tutorials (CTs) regarding academic performance, student involvement, and faculty demands.

Main Methods:

• Second-year medical undergraduates were divided into SLOT and CT groups after a didactic lecture.
• SLOT participants created and presented multiple-choice questions, fostering peer learning.
• CT participants received traditional instruction.

Main Results:

• The SLOT group showed a 31% improvement in test scores, compared to 11% in the CT group.
• 63% of students preferred SLOTs, citing increased interest, self-learning, and teamwork.
• Faculty also favored SLOTs for their pedagogical benefits.

Conclusions:

• Student-led objective tutorials (SLOTs) enhance student satisfaction and academic performance in pharmacology.
• SLOTs serve as an effective alternative to conventional tutorials, promoting active learning and collaborative skills.
• This method can mitigate challenges associated with faculty shortages in medical education.