Abstract

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INDUCTION AND ORIENTATION PROGRAMME OF THESIS PROTOCOL WRITING AMONGST FIRST YEAR MEDICAL POST GRADUATE STUDENTS

Fatima F., Qadeer F.*, Hasan R., Rizvi D. and Thadani A.

ABSTRACT

Medical post-graduation is a phase of training when a graduate is expected to acquire skills under supervision, in a particular specialty, so that he/she may become capable of mastering & functioning independently. Often, new graduates start with this period without any clear aim. An Orientation programme was conducted by Era‟s Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Lucknow under the guidance of faculty members & administrators for the first year medical post graduates to familiarize them with the different aspects of clinical research involving sensitizing them for constructing a proper thesis protocol & also their role in the community. The programme presented the students with various learning experiences, aimed at developing knowledge, skills & attitudes required for a medical profession, by including interactive lectures & group discussions. Feedback using a structured self-completion questionnaire & during the informal group discussions were collected to assess & evaluate if they found the sessions relevant & useful. The evaluation also included a pre-test & post-test questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed. All the participants felt that the workshop was successful in achieving its objectives. The post-test score represented a significant improvement over the pre-test score. Students‟ view regarding the factors that facilitated their learning were good topics, good presentations, experienced speakers & inter-active faculty. Current medical education should make the transition of graduates from students to good researchers smoother. A brief & structural Orientation programme lay a strong foundation for better understanding & learning of post graduate courses involving a thesis protocol writing workshop & should be integrated into the medical curriculum.

Keywords: medical education, medical post graduates, medical profession, Orientation programme.