Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the attributes of an effective medical teacher that students value the most.
METHODS: A quantitative survey was performed in the College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between April and May 2012, using a pretested self-administered questionnaire distributed to all students. It captured their opinions on the qualities and attributes of good teachers. Each item was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 17.
RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-six students from all years responded. The most important attributes from the students' perspectives were ‘respectful to students’, ‘expert on the subject’, ‘organizes good lectures’, ‘understands/relates to students’, and ‘good communication skills’. On the other hand, ‘good sense of humor’, ‘explains and shares personal experiences’, ‘self-sacrificing’, ‘gives good marks to all students’, and ‘dresses up appropriately’ were least valued by students. Attributes related to performance were valued more by students compared to personality attributes.
CONCLUSION: Medical teachers and administrators should focus on improving the attributes identified most important to the students. Future studies could define the important attributes more explicitly.
- Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal
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