Students' opinion on the prevailing teaching methods in pharmacology and changes recommended

OBJECTIVE: To determine the opinion of students regarding the teaching of pharmacology, the best way of knowing and retaining the subject and application of the subject in future practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was designed and given to Second-year medical students who were due to appear for examination. They were supposed to fill in and make suggestions according to the options given and were also free to express their own opinion at various places. RESULTS: Fifty-one out of sixty-three students (81%) wanted introduction of case studies and therapy as part of regular teaching. They wanted the teachers to make use of audiovisual aids during the lectures. About one third of the students (22/63; 35%) felt that more group discussions should be introduced during teaching sessions. Even fewer (7/63; 11%) opted for finer aspects of clinical pharmacology including drug schedules, dosage calculations, and drugs used in special situations. According to them students' seminars should be discouraged. CONCLUSION: Students are interested in learning the subject from a futuristic practical therapeutic point of view.