Introduction of Question-making Sessions by Undergraduate Medical Students to Reinforce Learning in Pathology: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Creating Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) requires extensive knowledge coupled with critical analytical thinking and enhances learning. This study was planned to make MBBS students equal stakeholders in framing Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and, thereby, in the teaching-learning program. Aim: To evaluate whether involving medical students in framing quiz questions enhances learning in Pathology. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India from April 2022 to September 2022. A batch of 100 second-professional MBBS students were included in the study. Students were asked to prepare seven conceptual MCQs in a week after conventional didactic lectures. A total of nine quiz sessions were held on the topics flagged by the students and faculty. At the end of the study period of 24 weeks, the students were administered a feedback questionnaire. Responses from the students were graded on the Likert scale to assess the impact on learning, perception, analysis, communication and satisfaction. Results: A total of 88 (91.7%) of students felt that the question-making activity was useful for gaining a better understanding of the given topic, and 82 (85.4%) of students believed that the question-making exercise was a good and effective way of learning and would help them in exams. Additionally, 76 (79.2%) of students felt that the activity enabled in-depth knowledge of the topic, and 68 (70.8%) of students suggested that this type of learning method should be incorporated into other topics in the department. The satisfaction index ranged from 73.8% to 86.5% in this study. Conclusion: This study was an attempt to engage students actively in the teaching-learning process, and the feedback generated shows that it had the desired impact on the study participants. Including such sessions regularly will improve learning outcomes in the discipline of Pathology.

Keywords

• medical education
• multiple choice questions
• quiz
• satisfaction index