ASSESSMENT OF SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING READINESS AND LEARNING STYLE PREFERENCES AMONG MBBS PHASE III STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Self-directed learning (SDL) is a core expectation under the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum. Understanding SDL readiness and learning preferences enables medical educators to design effective strategies that foster autonomous, lifelong learning. (1) To assess self-directed learning Objectives: readiness (SDLR) among MBBS Phase III students and (2) To determine their learning style preferences using the VARK framework. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among Phase III MBBS students at MVJMC & RH in Karnataka. The abridged Fisher's 29-item SelfDirected Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) and the 16-item VARK questionnaire were administered online after ethics approval and informed consent. SDLRS scores were categorized into low, average, and high readiness. Data were analysed using SPSS v25. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman correlation tests were applied, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Of 298 students, 66.4% Results: were females and 50.3% belonged to Phase III Part II. The mean SDLR score was 102.42 ± 19.70, with 53.52%, 42.88%, and 3.60% demonstrating high, average, and low readiness respectively. Visual (37.2%) was the predominant learning style, followed by kinaesthetic (21.8%), read/write (17.1%), aural (8.1%), and multimodal (15.8%). SDLR scores in all domains were significantly higher in Phase III Part II students (p<0.05). Aural and read/write scores showed positive correlations with SDL domains (p<0.01), whereas visual and kinaesthetic styles showed no significant association. Conclusion: Most students demonstrated moderate-to-high readiness for SDL, with visual learning as the dominant preference. Advancing academic phase and certain learning styles correlate with better SDL readiness. Tailored teaching strategies, mentorship, and multimodal instructional methods are recommended to strengthen SDL under CBME.