Reading habits of third-year medical students during an integrated endocrinology course

Abstract

Independent reading by medical students beyond the formal classroom activities is considered central to medical education. The medical student is assigned large quantities of reading material. There are scant data on how much reading medical students actually do, their sources of reading and the contribution that reading makes to their education. The medical school mission statement at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev emphasizes the importance of self-directed study. But, in spite of this intention, much of the teaching is still in the classic lecture mode, and no objective data are available as to how the students study. This study attempts to examine these issues, as well as to suggest ways to increase the amount of independent study time available to students.