STUDENT PERCEPTION ON SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION IN UNDERSTANDING MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY IN A NEWLY STARTED INSTITUTION

BACKGROUND:- Small group discussion (SGD) is a teaching-learning method being incorporated in medical education it enhances the personal, social and cognitive skills. SGD enhances acquisition, processing and retention of the medical knowledge in medical students. Here we compared the responses on SGD perception among two batches of first year medical students. METHODS:- Two batches of first year MBBS students comprising 84 were recruited from, AIIMS, Guwahati. MBBS 2020 batch students (n=34) were in the group 1. MBBS 2021 batch students (n=50) were in the group 2. After overall SGD sessions, as a part of routine feedback, the students were asked to submit their feedback responses for the google form questionnaire about SGD perception shared to them. For the Group 1 students SGD was conducted in online mode. For the Group 2 students SGD was conducted in hybrid mode. The responses for the SGD questionnaire by the students was obtained using a close ended Likert scale. The results obtained were expressed as percentage and compared statistically by chi-square test between the groups. RESULTS:- For "Ability to Clarify doubts", the responses were 50% Excellent, 41.18% Good by group 1 and 34% Excellent, 54% Good by group 2. For "Interaction between students and faculty", 55.88% as Excellent, 35.29% Good (group1) and 30% Excellent, 54% Good (group 2). Regarding "Knowledge gained in the SGD with respect to answering in the exam", responses were 50% Excellent, 32.35% Good by group 1 students and 36% as Excellent, 38% Good by group 2 students. The feedback responses about SGD were fairly consistent among both the batches. CONCLUSION:- SGD is one of the effective teaching-learning methods in both online and offline mode. Majority of the students very willing to attend SGD since it will improve the academic performance, communication skills and inter-personal relationship between faculty and the student.