Cultivating self-directed learning skills in the budding doctors: An attempt to transform an ‘Indian medical graduate’ into a ‘lifelong learner’

Abstract

Medical Education is a dynamic professional entity and the practice trends for the physicians evolve rapidly to reflect advancement in the scientific technology and also, to keep pace with the health care needs of the society. Cultivating self-regulated lifelong learning skills and attitude in the medical graduates is now included as one of the competencies by Medical Council of India. Self-directed Learning (SDL) is a dynamic learning journey in which the onus of learning lies with the student and teacher is the facilitator of learning. This learning experience can be enhanced with the appropriate utilization of Information and computer technology. For effective implementation, the faculty and the students must be sensitized and trained on various modules, strategies, virtue, time and stress management techniques for SDL session. Concurrently, a large body of available literature believes that the self-directed learning is more enjoyable and at the same time, as effective as the traditional methods of education. The key component of this active learning is self-monitoring, self-assessment and reflective writing by the students. The tendency to master SDL skills is an integral link between under graduate and post graduate training and hence, is essential for enhancing professional development. The medical education stake-holders are facing numerous challenges in implementation of SDL sessions and they are still struggling to bring about flawless transitions in the medical education from one phase to another. Nevertheless, this novel learning approach would create more refined physicians who are capable of handling the rapid transformations in the medical policies.