Foundation programme: A student's perspective

CONTEXT: Various colleges and universities worldwide develop and implement students’ orientation programs to acclimatize them to the campus environment, familiarize them with the teaching programs and its importance has been stressed in the document “Vision 2015” planned by the Medical Council of India (MCI). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feedback questionnaire after conclusion of two day :Foundation Program” for MBBS 2nd Professional students, conducted by the medical education unit at a tertiary care Medical Institute. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After the conclusion of two day “Foundation Program”, a pre-designed, anonymous questionnaire was received from all the students who participated in the program. RESULTS: Of the 100 participants, 67% of the participants labeled the foundation program a very good exercise. Students’ view regarding the factors that facilitated their learning were good topics (covered important aspects pertaining to the clinical phases), good presentations, good and experienced speakers, and interactive faculty. CONCLUSION: Such orientation programs lay a strong foundation for better understanding and learning of under-graduate courses, and should be a regular feature in the curriculum.