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.
Keywords: Lecture class; One-to-one interaction; Demonstration class; Medical Educator;
Communication skill; Medicolegal knowledge.