Bedside Learning in Clinical Training;

Abstract

Objectives: To find out the learning preferences of clinical students forbedside learning. Design: cross-sectional, descriptive. Methods: The study was done on medical students of theclinical classes in different Medical Colleges in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Both male and female students were included inthe study. All students were given a questionnaire consisting of 5 questions regarding their preferences for bedsidelearning. Open-ended comments were also invited. Results: A total of 227 students of clinical classes participated inthe study. Most preferred location for bedside learning was the ward (70%, N=158). Most preferred group size was 5(62%, N=140). For duration of bedside learning session most learners preferred 2 hours (59%, N=134). The opinionregarding the mode of case presentation was divided indecisively. Howevermost responders favored single presenter(28.6%, N=65). The preferred frequency of bedside learning sessions was ‘daily’ (49.7%, N=106). Conclusions:Learners in clinical classes prefer bedside teaching as a daily event. Their preferences indicate that the bedside learningpossesses a clinical relevance and offers contextual learning opportunity. Much remains to be learnt about the learners’preferences regarding instruction method in bedside learning.