Expectations and attitudes of first year medical students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Medical students' expectations of the medical course and their attitude towards the profession may influence educational performance. Such information is useful for re-orientation of the medical curriculum to meet student demands. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 first year students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 145 respondents with a mean age of 20.7 (SD=1.8) years, 40% were male, 90% Sinhalese and 45% resident in the Western Province. 30% and 48% had gained admission at the 1st and 2nd attempt at the A/Level examination, respectively. Among 89% of students entering from Government schools, 71% were from national schools. The commonest reasons for choosing medicine were 1) to serve the country (29%), 2) fulfill personal dreams (19%), and 3) fulfill parents' wishes (17%). Financial rewards were the least common reason (2%). Most students identified their coping ability to adapt to University life and making friends as satisfactory and their ability to deal with academic workload and separation from home as unsatisfactory. 64% expected to work in the government sector, 7% in the private sector, and 6% as academics. 51% of females and 48% of males preferred to marry a doctor. A happy family life was the priority of 69% of males and 60% of females. 43% felt that they had better prospects in life as compared to their currently employed school-mates. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of first year medical students had idealistic attitudes and expectations. Medical curricula should be re-oriented to meet student and national demands.