Self-Directed Learning in Anatomy

Exploration of medical science with the advent of technology demands medical doctors with in depth knowledge and skill to face the upcoming challenges promptly. Application of skills needs practice and that requires desire of learning and selfmotivation. Medical teachers get involved in creating self- motivation in the students so that self-directed learning will lead to achievement of learning goals. Proper planning, implementation and desire of learning will make the student able to reach the desired objectives. Self-directed learning is a dynamic way of learning where the cognitive ability of the student develops. Self-directed learning is adapted at many institutes as the student achieves desired objectives on its own. In competency based medical education in India separate 40 hours are allotted to SDL in the subject of Anatomy. Syllabus of anatomy is quite vast and students can be trained in achieving competencies through SDL method which makes the topic easy to understand and remember for long time. SDL is student centric method and their involvement is at higher level. In the review various methods of self-directed learning and their outcomes are discussed.