Teaching Learning Method Preferences among Medical Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: The most common method of traditional teaching and learning practice is didactic lectures, which have been considered the gold standard. Modern techniques of teaching and learning methodologies include case-based learning, evidence-based medicine, problem-based learning, simulation-based learning, e-learning, peer-assisted learning, and observational learning. The aim of the study is to assess specific teaching and learning methods preferred by selected medical students of a medical college. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among selected medical students from 01 March 2024 to 01 December 2024 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Students who were not willing or did not give consent to participate in the study were excluded. The students were enrolled in the study after written informed consent. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Results: Among 400 students, 399 (99.75%) (99.43-100, 95% confidence interval) medical students preferred specific teaching learning methods and 1 (0.25%) medical student preferred blended teaching learning method. Evidence-based medicine was recognised as a method for teaching and learning by 350 (87.50%), problem-based learning by 393 (98.25%) and case based learning by 396 (99%). However, 202 (50.50%) preferred problem-based learning for theory teaching as 233 (58.25%) believed problem-based learning helps in better clinical correlation and 153 (38.25%) believed it allows better students interaction followed by 240 (60%) student-teacher interaction. Conclusions: Majority students preferred specific teaching learning methods also were aware of different teaching learning methods and most preferred methods were problem-based learning, followed by socratic lectures. However, most practiced in their institution were didactic lectures while the preferred aids by students were powerpoint presentations.