Exploring the correlation between attendance and academic performance in physiology among phase 1st MBBS students: A comprehensive study

Abstract

: Regular attendance is a fundamental component of professionalism, especially in the context of medical schools. It involves consistently being present at a designated location and plays a crucial role in fostering the exploration of diverse skills deemed essential in the contemporary scientific landscape. Recent medical literature underscores a clear and mutually beneficial link between medical student attendance and academic achievement, particularly within the framework of the Competency-based curriculum introduced by the National Medical Commission (NMC). This curriculum prioritizes the development of necessary competence through mandatory clinical contact and skills. Despite the mandate imposed by medical universities, absenteeism remains a significant challenge in medical schools. University policies outline specific expectations, including reporting times, allowed break durations, and daily expected working hours, approved by the College Committee across all campuses. Emphasizing the importance of learning activities, the NMC requires attendance for all assessments, ranging from exams and Readiness Assurance Tests (RATs) to quizzes and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology at GMC Baramulla and its associated hospitals. A total of 198 students from the 2019–20 batches of the first year MBBS, who participated in all internal assessments for both theory and practicals, were included in this study.: The retrospective observational study involved retrieving attendance and theory plus practical marks from all internal assessments conducted on 198 students of 2019–20 batches of first-year MBBS. Two groups were established on attendance: Group A < 75% theory and < 80% in practicals, and Group B > 75% in theory and > 80% in practicals, The mean marks were compared with their attendance. Karl Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized to assess the strength of the association between the two. Correlation studies were conducted based on gender and residence (hosteller vs. non-hosteller), revealing that female students and non-hostellers exhibited higher attendance and scores in both internal assessments and university examinations. Significantly higher marks in internal assessment and University examination were observed in students with high attendance percentage both in theory and practical’s.: There was a significant positive association between attendance and the performance of students in both theory and practical aspects of physiology among Phase 1st MBBS students.