Memory and Concentration Skills In A Sample of First Grade Medical Students at University of Baghdad/College of Medicine

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to assess the level of memory skills and concentration skills among first year medical students in College of Medicine/University of Baghdad depending on global scale (Study Skills Inventory SSI). Subjects and MethodA cross-sectional study to assess memory and concentration skills among first year medical students in College of Medicine/ University of Baghdad, the study was conducted using an online survey in September 2020. A sample of 103 students participated in the study by filling of an online questionnaire which was modified from the Study Skills Inventory (SSI). Regarding memory skills a score less than 30 was considered not adequate, while regarding concentration skills a score less than 35 was considered not adequate. ResultsPercentage of males was 68% and the percentage of females was 32%. About studying hours we found that 59.2% students study less than 3 hours, 25.2% students study between 3-6 hours and 15.5% students study more than 6 hours. The mean score of the students for concentration skills was 36.45 and was 32.40 for memory skills. Regarding concentration skills 35% students had non adequate score and 65% students had adequate score, regarding memory skills 28.2% students had non adequate score and 71.8% students had adequate score. There is a statistically significant association between concentration skills and studying hours and there is statistically significant association between memory skills and studying hours. There was a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between concentration skill score and the memory skill score of the students total score (r = 0.511, p < 0.01). ConclusionAbout 75% of 1st year medical students have adequate concentration and memory skills. The students who study for 3-6 hours daily have the least mean score of both skills with 42.3% of them have adequate concentration skills score and 57.7% had adequate memory skills score. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to correlate the concentration and memory skills with student end year average total score.