Publication:

Perspectives of medical students on attributes of bedside teaching

Background Bedside teaching forms an integral part of medical education which is declining recently. The aim of this study is to evaluate the perception of undergraduate medical students about the attributes of bedside teaching.

Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out among the undergraduate medical students of Dr. Sirajul Islam Medical College, Dhaka, from September to November 2016. One hundred and forty medical students were included in this study. Ethical clearance had taken and a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire comprising of closed ended questions was used.

Results Majority of the study group, 64.3% absolutely agree that bedside teaching is a useful method for learning medical skills and 28.6% just agree. Regarding learning correct physical examination, mostly 41.4% absolutely agree that it is helpful and 37.1% only agree. It helps in rapid improvement of medical skills within limited time as absolutely agreed and just agreed by 48.6% and 45.7%, respectively. Half (50%) absolutely agree, 40% only agree that problem-based learning is possible, while evidence-based medicine can also be learned as 51.4% participants absolutely agree than 38.6% only agree. Majority 42.9% agree and 34.3% absolutely agree that allotted time is inadequate. More than half 54.3% and 40% absolutely agree and just agree, respectively, that maximum medical knowledge can be achieved by means of bedside teaching.

Conclusions Positive opinion about bedside teaching exists among the future doctors. But unfortunately they are deprived due to time limitation. The barrier must be removed to restore this imperative element of medical education.