An analysis on aptitude and attitude of newly joined medical students – Medical college based study in South India

Introduction: The medical profession is considered to be both satisfying and lucrative, drawing the best students to its ranks every year thousands of students all over the country are still eager to pursue the medical profession. Even though so many factors and individuals influence and/or motivate them to become doctors while entering professional course, he or she should have basic knowledge on the course and about the future career. Aims and Objectives: 1. To know the basic knowledge on medical undergraduate course. 2. To know the attitude of medical students towards the course. Materials and Methods: First year medical students, in September 2016 were included the study. All the participants were instructed to fill the given questionnaire having 18 items of open ended. Results: Among the newly joined medical students females (57.25%) were more than males (42.75%). Among the participants 88.55% had their studies in corporate schools and colleges and only 4.58% of participants had their schooling and intermediate course from government institutions. 78.62% of participants preferred national eligibility cum entrance test. Regarding introducing english language and regular sports as part of curriculum 95.42% & 96.95% of them respectively opined that these should be present in curriculum. 85.5% of participants opined that there is no scope for research in medical education. Only 18.32% of participants did not want to change their medical profession. Majority of participants were interested to join in government service after completion (69.46%). Conclusions: The knowledge on undergraduate medical course among the participants was satisfactory. Majority of the participants wanted to english and sports in their curriculum. Less numbered of participants only wanted to continue in this profession and the others wanted to change their profession if any opportunity comes which represents their attitude towards the course and also that they had joined not by their own interest. It is necessary to motivate the undergraduates towards research.