Self-directed learning readiness among medical, dental and nursing students: a cross-sectional study at a tertiary care medical university

Abstract

Abstract Purpose – The present study analysed self-directed learning readiness among undergraduate medical, dental and nursing students across the academic years. Methods - The cohort consisted of the undergraduate medical, dental and nursing students of King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. After institutional ethical clearance, the study started in October 2022 and data collection was completed in March 2023. Following voluntary consent, 746 /775 students (335 medical, 220 dental, and 220 nursing students) recorded their socio-demographic details on a semi-structured questionnaire. They filled the Modified Kumar self-directed learning readiness scale to assess the three domains of self-management, desire for learning and self-control. Data was analysed using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM Corp.). Results − 59.6% of the participants were females, 74% were students aged between 20–24 years, 90% were hostellers, 74% belonged to the middle socioeconomic status and 54% of students had a rural background. Statistical analysis revealed that self-management, desire for learning and self-control were not statistically different at the time of entry into the three courses. However, medical students demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in all parameters as they progressed in years of education. Nursing students maintained their parameters. Scores of female students were higher, but the effect of other demographic parameters was insignificant. Conclusion - The maximum decrease in scores of medical students may be attributed to academic and infrastructure issues. This sets a need for further large-scale longitudinal studies using mixed methods that address various facets of curriculum and institutional infrastructure.