The Undergraduate Medical Students’ Approach to Learning in University of Latvia

Abstract

Learning approach of medical students has been pointed out as one of the most important long term success factors for medical career. There are two major differences how students learn. One group of students use deep approach learning that is characterised by understanding of matter of studies. Other part of students using surface approach of learning that is based on memorisation of facts and knowledge. It has been recognised that deep approach learning is more used in modern medical schools but surface learning in traditional medical schools. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, describe and compare the learning approach of students at the University of Latvia in the academic year of 2009/2010. University of Latvia represents traditional medical school, which uses traditional curriculum. The assessment was done using Entwistle's Short Inventory of Approaches to Learning consisting of 30 items. The inventory was answered by a total of 345 students. Findings show that learning approach has trend towards surface approach of learning in six groups studied in the University of Latvia in year 2009/2010. It has been recognised that reproduction and learning pathology were found increased in all study years. Results might suggest that modernisation of undergraduate curriculum including assessment with target to improve the way how medical students learn could be topic of discussion in senior management of University of Latvia. Study allows compare findings of this study to similar studies where the same instrument is used for evaluation of learning approaches in longitudinal prospective. It gives opportunity to compare results within findings of medical schools of Europe.