SENSITIZING FIRST YEAR MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TO PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP: A CROSS SECTIONAL EXPERIENCES AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL.

Background: Literature on implementation leadership programme in undergraduate medical education is lacking in Asian continent. We aim to describe our experience in sensitizing the first-year undergraduate medical students (UGMS) towards the principles of leadership in a medical institution. Materials and methods: Each year, one hundred first year UGMS were sensitized towards leadership principles and core domains through interactive sessions, focus group discussion, and short lectures. The students were asked to refiect upon the sessions' activities as well as its follow up usefulness in their day-to-day activities through a structured questionnaire shared via Google forms. Results: A high proportion (75%) of students reported an improved perception or knowledge towards leadership principles and practices. Leadership attributes such as team building, decision making, confidence building, motivation, and managing crisis were reported to be very useful by 77.8%, 74.1%, 69.1%, 64.2%, 61.7% of students. On follow up, students described this sensitization exercise to be useful in their academic (16/52, 30.76%), organizational (10/52, 19.2%), sports (6/52, 11.53%), short term research (4/52, 7.7%) activities, and editorial responsibilities (3/52, 5.7%), etc. Conclusion: Leadership sensitization workshop helps students adjust to the to the medical school's environment; and this may be incorporated in UG curriculum to strengthen students' leadership potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]