Creativity and its determinants among medical students

INTRODUCTION: The ultimate goal of education at all levels is the ability to generate and foster students’ creativity. This study aimed at determining and comparing creativity and its influencing factors among medical students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2019, 720 medical students in Shahroud public and private universities were selected and studied through stratified cluster random sampling. Data were collected using the Guilford Creativity Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, and multiple logistic regression with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The mean creativity score of the students was 131.4 ± 13.8. The mean creativity scores on the fluency, elaboration, originality, and flexibility dimensions were 49.2 ± 5.3, 22.1 ± 3.4, 34.8 ± 4.7, and 25.4 ± 3.5, respectively. In terms of creativity levels, 75.2% of the students (n = 542) had moderate creativity and 23.8% (n = 171) had high creativity. A significant relationship was observed between creativity and educational level (P = 0.006). Multiple logistic regression results showed that educational level with an odds ratio of 0.59 was associated with a decreased chance of creativity. CONCLUSION: Most of the students had moderate creativity. Moreover, among the factors examined in this study, variables other than the field of the study and educational level had no significant effect on students’ creativity. Therefore, using collaborative and cooperative learning and problem-based learning strategies, teachers’ critical thinking styles, establishing teamwork groups, concept mapping, and using innovative and creative teaching methods can help to enhance students’ creativity.