Abstract

Background: Medical education in Indian Colleges is still mostly dependant on traditional lecture classes along with practical classes for the Undergraduate students. Teaching methods that enhance student engagement and encourage self directed learning can be effective in delivering core knowledge and explaining difficult concepts, leading to increased learning. The present study was conducted to understand the Indian Medical Graduates’ perspective on different teaching methods practised and different attributes of a good medical teacher, involved in teaching Forensic Medicine and Toxicology.

Method: This observational, cross-sectional, prospective, questionnaire based study was done among 240 MBBS students of 5th semester in FMT Department, NRSMCH, Kolkata. The study tool was a pre-designed, pre-tested and validated questionnaire with twelve questions about different teaching methods practised in department and also involving attributes of a medical educator.

Results: 71.3% teachers had good communication skills whereas 89.6% faculties were approachable and helpful. Students preferred one-to-one interactions, group discussions and tutorials over normal traditional lectures. Most of the students liked a combination of blackboard teaching and audio-visual aided teaching over their individual use during lecture classes. Good communication skill, good sense of humour, thorough knowledge of subject and politeness emerged as the most important traits of a teacher.

Conclusion: An adaptable, approachable teacher who interacts with the students always wins their hearts. All future doctors are society’s assets and thus a Forensic Medicine and Toxicology teacher should be efficient and careful enough to ensure that the students imbibe basic medicolegal knowledge.

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