Abstract

Background: Medical students need to develop self-directed learning skills in early medical schools and it is important to develop critical thinking and creative skills among young learners.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study to determine the effects of training first-phase MBBS students in workshop mode for learning ethical principles, leadership skills, and stress management.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 145 first MBBS students after taking institutional ethical clearance and informed consent. Three workshops were organized by the department of physiology and the medical education unit to implement the module. A workshop was conducted to sensitize faculty members. Written feedback was taken from students and assessments were done using pre-validated questionnaires.

Results: The students were able to solve problems in groups which increased their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The mean ± standard deviation of the class of performance following the workshops - leadership skills: 70.25 ± 6.45; ethics: 85.24 ± 3.68; and stress management: 84.86 ± 4.5. In the workshop on stress management, it was observed that females had higher anxiety scores as compared to male counterparts.

Conclusions: Engaging students to learn leadership skills, ethical principles, and stress management techniques in workshops motivated the young learners and made the teaching–learning experience for the learners as well as faculty members enjoyable. The use of technological assistance decreased the number of faculty members needed to conduct workshops and the whole batch of students could be controlled effectively.

Key words: Workshop; Group Dynamics; Leadership; Mental Health; Ethics