Abstract

Background: Community medicine is one of the important subjects taught in MBBS course. The subject comes in first, second, third year, and again in internship.

Objective: To know students’ satisfaction and effectiveness of current teaching methods in community medicine with specific focus on non-classroom teaching and this the only subject with maximum contact duration with the students.

Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was made in the Epi Info software and the students were asked to fill in the questionnaire one by one maintaining due confidentiality as name was not entered. The study is opinion-based study, wherein all the students were requested to opine on 11 questions put to them. The questions responses were in Likert scale as well dichotomous (yes/no).

Result: Total 83 students participated and 43 were females and rest 40 were males. Of the total students, 76% students commented that field visits contribute much to their practical skills and knowledge. Same way 66.3% students were of the view that a good contribution is made by family studies and case studies to their practical skills and knowledge. Almost two-third (61.4%) students told that practical classes helps a lot to understand the subject better and adds extra to their knowledge. A total of 59% students opined that village stay is absolutely important and it is a different experience from classroom learning.

Conclusion: A good blend of classroom teaching and non-classroom teaching with more of practical approach is required in the form of real field-based situation which will bring in more clarity and liking for the subject.

Key words: Field visits, practicals, PSBH, students, village stay