Exploring factors that affect learning process of high achievers and low achievers and the role of medical teachers

The syllabus in the medical curriculum is extremely vast, and in order to attain the intended learning competencies, students have to take intensive efforts to continue or expedite the learning process. Learning in itself is a complex process, as a number of factors play their part to ensure that a medical student can understand and apply the concepts or even perform the skills/procedures. In general, factors affecting the learning process have been broadly categorized into intrinsic (viz. Learning style) and extrinsic (such as learning environment and support from teachers). It becomes extremely crucial that teachers should be aware of these differences to ensure that learning can be facilitated among both types of students. To conclude, a number of factors are responsible to impact the learning acquisition process among medical students. It is important that a teacher should be aware of these wide gamut of factors, so that they can play a defining role in neutralizing some of these factors and encourage students to continue to learn.