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Self-Directed Learning Readiness and Its Correlation With Academic Performance Among Medical Students at King Saud
Noorah Aldubaib1, Basmah Alzahrani1, Nada Alobaid1
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, SAU.
Cureus
|June 1, 2026
Summary
Medical students at King Saud University show moderate-to-high self-directed learning readiness (SDLR). Higher SDLR scores correlate with better academic performance, though the impact is small, indicating SDL is one of many factors.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Professions Education
- Lifelong Learning
Background:
- Self-directed learning (SDL) is crucial for contemporary medical training and ongoing physician development.
- Assessing students' readiness for SDL is vital for optimizing educational strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the self-directed learning readiness (SDLR) of medical students at King Saud University (KSU).
- To investigate the relationship between SDLR and students' academic performance (GPA).
Main Methods:
- A quantitative, cross-sectional study involving 330 undergraduate medical students at KSU.
- Fisher's Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) questionnaire was administered.
- Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze SDLR scores and GPA.
Main Results:
- The average SDLR score indicated moderate-to-high readiness (150 ± 24.9).
- A significant positive correlation was found between higher SDLR scores and higher GPA categories.
- No significant differences in SDLR were noted based on gender or academic year, with a small effect size for the GPA correlation.
Conclusions:
- KSU medical students exhibit substantial readiness for self-directed learning.
- While SDLR is linked to academic success, its practical influence is limited, suggesting it's one component among others.
- Longitudinal studies are recommended to further elucidate the complex interplay between SDLR and academic outcomes.
