Participants’ Feedback about and Knowledge before and after a Two-Day Medical Humanities Workshop at Mysuru, India

Abstract

Background: Medical humanities is using subjects traditionally known as the humanities for specific purposes in education in medicine. A two-day medical humanities workshop was facilitated at JSS medical college, Mysuru, India on 9th and 10th March 2020. Objectives: The authors obtained participant knowledge before and immediately post-conclusion of the workshop and their feedback regarding the workshop. Methods: Participants’ knowledge was measured by asking them to answer true or false a set of twenty statements. Some statements were worded negatively, and their scores reversed when calculating the total score. Total scores pre and post-workshop were compared using appropriate statistical tests (p<0.05). Participant feedback about various facets of the workshop including venue, organization, facilitators, role-plays, activities related to paintings, home assignment, debate, and elicitation sessions were obtained. Free text comments were also invited.  Results: Thirty-four medical students (15 male and 19 female) participated. Most students were from Karnataka and the neighbouring Kerala state. The median total scores before and immediately following the workshop were 16.00 and 17.00. The increase was highly significant (p<0.001). The mean student ratings of all parameters were 3.8 and above. Role-plays and debates were the most enjoyable. A greater range of activities and more involvement of students from other institutions were suggested. A few other topics were recommended. Conclusions: Participant feedback was positive. They wanted similar workshops in the future.              The workshop could serve as a launchpad for a medical/health humanities module at the   institution.