Learning sessions on critical appraisal of randomised clinical trials: Student feedback

Critical appraisal skills are essential for students to become rational prescribers. Evidence-based medicine requires the ability to appraise articles critically. The Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal mainly admits students from Nepal, India and Sri Lanka for the undergraduate medical (MBBS) course. Pharmacology is taught during the first four semesters. The department recently started learning sessions on the critical analysis of published randomized clinical trials for the third and fourth semester students. Student feedback about the sessions was obtained using a questionnaire. Basic demographic information about the respondents was collected and the degree of agreement with a set of 16 statements was noted. A total of 117 students participated (overall response rate was 81.8%). Nepalese and Indians were the major nationalities. The median score was 54. No significant difference in scores was seen among different subgroups. Student opinion about the sessions was positive. Lack of knowledge of statistics among the students was a limitation. A student elective on reading and writing science can be considered.