Portfolio based approach for teaching Community Medicine among medical undergraduates and assessment of their learning in a medical college in rural India

dc.contributor.authorAmol R Dongreen_US
dc.contributor.authorPradeep R Deshmukhen_US
dc.contributor.authorBishan S Gargen_US
dc.date.accessioned2011-02-22T06:38:14Z
dc.date.available2011-02-22T06:38:14Z
dc.date.created2011-01-25en_US
dc.date.issued2011-01-25en_US
dc.description.abstractObjective: The study was undertaken to explore what and how first year medical undergraduates could learn about Community Medicine using a portfolio-based learning approach during the period of Social Service Camp in the village Pulai.  Methods: Study participants were 65 first year medical undergraduates participating in Social Service Camp in the village Pulai, during 10 - 24 October 2008. The first step was to set Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Time bound (SMART) learning goals focused on Community Medicine. These learning goals were to be achieved during the fifteen days and within the existing curriculum, using existing resources and opportunities. The portfolio based records of students who accomplished their learning objectives were subjected to qualitative content analysis.  Results: Of 65 students, 41 (63.1%) completed and reflected on their portfolios. Methods adopted for learning were; interaction with community based groups (48.8%), interaction with allotted family members (43.9%), lectures series, role plays and demonstrations (36.6%), interactions with village level healthcare providers (31.7%) and journal exercises (26.8%). The portfolio based exercises were useful to 30 (46.2%) students to understand the social, economic and health problems of the villagers and their life style. Twenty four (36.9%) students said that it improved their communication skills. This exercise helped 11 (16.9%) students to explore weaknesses such as poor communication skills, poor knowledge of local language, inability to adjust in new environment.  Conclusion: The Social Service Camp in the village Pulai offered opportunities for portfolio based leaning to medical undergraduates. The students learned about the major topics of primary health care through self-directed learning.en_US
dc.identifier.citationSouth-East Asian Journal of Medical Education; Vol.4 No.1 June 2010; 17-24en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/132192
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherSouth-East Asian Journal of Medical Educationen_US
dc.rightsSouth East Asian Association for Medical Education (SEARAME),Bangkok, Thailanden_US
dc.source.urihttps://thailand.digitaljournals.org/index.php/SEAJME/issue/archiveen_US
dc.source.urihttps://thailand.digitaljournals.org/index.php/SEAJME/article/view/4763en_US
dc.titlePortfolio based approach for teaching Community Medicine among medical undergraduates and assessment of their learning in a medical college in rural Indiaen_US
dc.typeOriginal Research Articlesen_US
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