Demotivating Factors among Third Year Medical Students in a Public Medical College in Pakistan.

Objective: To identify demotivating factors among third year medical students and its possible solutions.

Study Design: Mixed methods approach including questionnaire and focus group interview sessions.

Place And Duration Of Study: Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, affiliated with the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from January to July 2016.

Methodology: Nieuwhof and associates validated questionnaire strength of motivation in medical students was used for third year medical students. Focus group interviews were conducted to assess possible solutions.

Results: A total of 108 students completed the questionnaire but only 65 students gave informed consent for interviews. More than 90% of students agreed that subjects were relevant. Time constraints, ward closures and poor communication about time and place for clinical tutorial were among the issues pointed out by students. Frequent change of teachers and poor motivation on part of tutors were considered reasons for poor attendance by students. Cochrane's alpha score was 0.708. Poorly defined syllabus and topics for clinical teaching, absence of mandatory attendance for clinical teaching, and lack of proper introduction to clinical rotation were concerns for students.

Conclusion: Students of third year get demotivated because of sudden change in subjects from basic to clinical and lack of commitment from teachers in a public medial college. These factors can be improved by mandatory attendance, introduction of pre-clinical orientation sessions before start of clinical rotations, and appointment of dedicated clinical tutors who kindle the fire for clinical learning in hearts of medical students.