Do adults learn by experience; student's perceptions and performance in Neuro Physiology lab course

Objective To assess perception and performance of students in order to evaluate outcome of Neuro Physiology lab course in learning of Physiology. Subjects and Methods This cross sectional study was conducted in Bahria University Medical and Dental College in a module of neurosciences for a period of 12 weeks. The perception of students on laboratory course for Specific Learning Objectives (SLO); SLO1; learning of concepts SLO2; understanding of scientific approach and SLO3; development of critical thinking was assessed by five point scale of SALG (Student Assessment of Learning Gains). The knowledge gained and performance skills acquired were evaluated on the basis of grading; unsatisfactory less than 50%, good 50-75%, excellent >75% by OSPE (Objective Structured Physical Examination) and OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) methods. Results 92 students with mean age 20± 2 years (54% males, 46% females) responded to a self reported questionnaire. SLO1 was attained by 90 % students while 91% and 92% considered it to be helpful in derivation of SLO2 and SLO3, respectively. The good and excellent performance in OSPE and OSCE was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion The lab skills course in neurosciences was perceived to be supportive for leaning which enabled the students to perform well in practical examination conducted by OSPE and OSCE. (Rawal Med J 2012;37:206-210).