Seminar training for sensitization of final year undergraduate ayurveda students about knowledge, attitude, and aptitude of research

Abstract

Background: Knowledge and training in research skills and knowledge of research in early career have been related with continued professional growth and helps to produce good future researchers in society. Central Council of Indian Medicine has recently introduced research methodology as a subject in the final year of the Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) curriculum. Hence, we designed a seminar training program for final year BAMS students to assess Knowledge, Attitude, and Aptitude toward Research Methodology and Medical Statistics among final year BAMS students and to evaluate the impact of 2-day seminar of this subject. Methodology: An interventional study has been carried out for 2 days 9th and 10th August 2016. Out of 77 enrolled participants, 64 were assessed by predefined, tested, and validated questionnaires for knowledge attitude and aptitude before and after seminar training. Feedback of students about their outlooks and problems was also taken in focused group discussion. Results: Out of 77 enrolled participants, 11 participants were absent and 66 were present. Out of 66 who attended 2 dropouts, and 64 participants successfully completed. Out of 66 who attended 10 were males and 56 were females. Significant impact of the seminar was found to sensitize in all three domains. Nonparametric correlation was also presented between knowledge attitude and aptitude (ŕ = 0.4757 and ŕ = 0.2614). Many of Ayurveda students also talked about the unavailability of teachers and books for this subject. They also demanded interpathy mixed trainers for such training. Conclusion: Such type of seminar training is beneficial for the students. Compulsory training of 2–3 days for undergraduate students at the university level would definitely be a positive step to develop interest for this newly included subject at the undergraduate level.