Evaluating the Impact of Orientation on Study Approaches Among First-Year Medical Students: A Quantitative Study in a Rural US Medical School using the Modified ASSIST Questionnaire

Authors

Kodjo Agbowou, Medical student at Brody school of medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville NCFollow
Dmitry Tumin, Assistant Dean of Clinical and Educational Scholarship and Research Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville NC
Robert Lust, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville NC
David Gilbert, Medical Director of the Office of Clinical Skills; Associate Clinical Professor, Family Medicine, Department of Medical Education, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville NC

Abstract

This study explores the impact of medical school orientation on student’s adoption of deep and strategic study approaches. At our rural Southeastern US medical school, the 2023 orientation was redesigned to include comprehensive sessions on study resources, time management, and curriculum structure.

Method

To evaluate the changes in students' study approaches, we used the modified Approaches to Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) questionnaire before and after orientation. Thirty-seven students completed the pre-orientation survey, and 17 provided complete data for analysis.

Results

At baseline, students showed a stronger preference for the strategic learning approach (median score: 26, IQR: 25–28) compared to the deep learning approach (median: 24, IQR: 24–26; p=0.006) and the surface learning approach (median: 18, IQR: 15–19; p

Conclusion

This suggest that most students already come to medical school with effective learning approaches and robust orientation needs to take place to effect change in those who still use the surface approaches. In this study students also perceived orientation to influence their study skills while their study skills remained the same from pre- orientation to post-orientation. The discrepancy between students perceived effect and actual changes highlights the need for further research into effective orientation practices, long term effects on student performances and potential barriers to adopting robust learning approaches.

Recommended Citation

Agbowou, Kodjo; Tumin, Dmitry; Lust, Robert; and Gilbert, David (2025) "Evaluating the Impact of Orientation on Study Approaches Among First-Year Medical Students: A Quantitative Study in a Rural US Medical School using the Modified ASSIST Questionnaire," Health Professions Education: Vol. 11: Iss. 3, Article 4.
DOI: 10.55890/2452-3011.1345
Available at: https://hpe.researchcommons.org/journal/vol11/iss3/4