Anat Cell Biol.  2019 Mar;52(1):57-68. 10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.57.

Effects of targeted remediation in anatomy for first year medical students

• Shankar N
• Ravindranath Y
• Ravindranath R
• Shah H

• KMID: 2442330
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.57

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a questionnaire to guide targeted remediation among undergraduate medical students in anatomy. Seventy-five students from a medical college in South India who failed in the first internal theory examination were administered a validated 35-item questionnaire. The total and domain specific questionnaire scores were calculated. Specific weekly interventions for each student based on the questionnaire scores were conducted by appointed academic mentors for three months prior to the second internal examination. The dependent variable was performance in the second internal examination. The students were re-administered the questionnaire after the second internal examination. The independent variables were the marks obtained in the first internal examination, domain specific and total questionnaire scores, sex, and regularity of the student in attending the remedial sessions. Inferential statistical tests used were the chi-square test, independent sample t test, paired t test, multiple regression and binomial logistic regression. Of the 75 students who underwent remediation, 54 (72%) passed in the second internal examination. The scores in the second internal examination among these students was found to be significantly higher as compared to the first internal examination. The total, subject related and study skills questionnaire score were significantly lower after remediation. Students who were irregular had a significantly lower pass rate. The multivariate analysis showed that only the first internal marks added significantly to the prediction about second internal performance. This study provides evidence to show that struggling students perceive a benefit from targeted remediation.

Keyword

Medical students; Surveys and questionnaires; Mentors; Test taking skills; India

MeSH Terms

Humans
India
Logistic Models
Mentors
Multivariate Analysis
Students, Medical*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Test Taking Skills

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The various factors influencing examination performance as identified by the focus group discussions.

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  Fig. 2 The final version of the questionnaire with items spaced out appropriately.

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  Fig. 3 Comparison between the pre and post-remediation domain scores in the remediation group (n=75). The mean and standard deviation of the domain scores are shown above the respective bars.

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  Fig. 4 Comparison of the pre-remediation domain scores between those who passed the second internal examination (n=54) and those who did not (n=21). The mean and standard deviation of the domain scores are shown above the respective bars.

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  Fig. 5 Comparison of the post-remediation domain scores between those who passed the second internal examination (n=54) and those who did not (n=21). The mean and standard deviation of the domain scores are shown above the respective bars.

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  Fig. 6 Comparison of the pre and post-remediation domain scores in the students who failed in the second internal examination (n=21). The mean and standard deviation of the domain scores are shown above the respective bars.

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  Fig. 7 Comparison of the pre and post-remediation domain scores in the students who passed in the second internal examination (n=54). The mean and standard deviation of the domain scores are shown above the respective bars.

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