Evaluation of orientation program for fresh MBBS entrants: Faculty and students’ perspectives

CONTEXT: One-day orientation program (OP) for fresh MBBS entrants is running in our institute since 2010, but has never been evaluated. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the OP from students’ and faculty perspectives and to recommend a revised program. METHODOLOGY: Totally 439 students of three MBBS batches were enrolled in the study. Students were asked to fill an anonymous semi-structured, pretested questionnaire. Views of faculty members were recorded by conducting three focus group discussions. RESULTS: More than half of the students have never attended the institutional OP due to timings issue. Overall rating of the program was good, but many students and faculty members suggested changes in the duration, timings and course content of the OP. A revised OP was proposed to the authorities. CONCLUSION: The current institutional program though rated good, requires a lot of amendments. The revised proposed OP should be implemented from the coming session.