Impact of teachers on poor communication between medical teachers and medical students in the Sri Lanka context: A qualitative study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: A gap in communication between students and teachers may exist due to how medical students perceive their teachers in the Sri Lankan cultural context. This study aimed to explore the perspective of medical students about the impact of teachers on poor communication between the two parties METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using focus-group-discussions with a representative sample of 67students from five batches of Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. The FGDs were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed RESULTS: The thematic analysis revealed teacher-related factors for poor communication: the age difference between teachers and students, uncaring attitude of teachers, making students feel inferior in public, scaring students with their behavior, lack of trust towards teachers, and multiple 'fears', e.g. fear of making mistakes in of teachers, fear of teachers being judgmental, fear of teachers being punitive, fear of being highlighted among peers, appeared to be the key factors. Improving mutual understanding between teachers and students through formal and informal means may be effective in overcoming these challenges. “Sometimes our teachers don't take certain matters seriously because for them as those who have graduated long ago, they feel those are very minor issues. But for us who are still undergraduates those little issues are a big deal” (4th-year student) CONCLUSION: The hierarchical cultural context has attributed to create real and perceived negative impacts on poor communication among medical students and their teachers. A partnership approach to the learning process may help reduce negativity and improve mutual communication