Medical student's learning habits: A mixed method study during clinical rotation in general surgery

To investigate medical students' study habits, their learning styles, and preferences, during general surgery rotation, for better understanding the art of pedagogy and improving the quality of teaching and learning.

This mixed-method study was conducted at the Quaid-i-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, from March 2013 to December 2014. Medical students of third and final years were asked to fill in a13-item questionnaire during surgery rotation.

Of the 90 students, 54(60%) were third-year and 36(40%) were final-year students. The results did not show any significant gender difference (p>0.05). Moreover, 18(33%) and 14(39%) students in third and final years said they studied due to motivation of tests and exams. Besides, 44(81%) and 32(89%) used books as the primary source of knowledge, and 2(3.7%) 4(11%) in the respective groups used the internet. Peer discussion was effective in deep learning for 44(81%) and 32(89%) students respectively.

The majority of medical students used books and found algorithms, mind maps and peer discussion useful for their learning.