Dealing with Academic Difficulty in Medical School

A Pilot Study

Bibliographic Data

ID22048336
AuthorsBunmi S Malau-Aduli (0000-0001-6054-8498, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, corresponding author), Robin Ray (0000-0003-3947-0571, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine), Teresa O’Connor (Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine), Yolanda van der Kruk (Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine), Faith Alele (0000-0001-5570-3641, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine), Michelle Bellingan (0000-0001-8307-9225, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine)
Year2020
Volume10
Issue3
Pages83
Publication date2020-03-23
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci10030083
OpenAlexW3012771914
LanguageEN
References cited15

Some students struggle through medical school and do not have the confidence to seek help. This pilot study sought to explore the challenges and needs of medical students experiencing academic difficulty. Semi-structured interviews and online surveys were used to collect data from an academic advisor and thirteen medical students who had experienced academic difficulty. Unexpected academic failure and the loss of self-efficacy contributed to students hiding their academic difficulty and avoiding available support systems. Despite the sampling limitations, the findings of this pilot study have value in giving direction to future research. Programs that will change the current attitudes to academic difficulty, normalising access to support and encouraging early intervention, are needed to build the capacity for excellence among these students

Academic year · Excellence · Mathematics education · Medical education · Medical school · Diversity and Career in Medicine · Innovations in Medical Education · Medical Education and Admissions · Medicine · Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access