Medical Education; The need for enlightenment

Abstract

Background: Education and enlightenment have been philosophically synonymous, each serving to enhance the other. Education is often portrayed as a beacon of light that dispels the darkness of ignorance. This research, however, focuses on the literal aspect of it all, i.e., light and its role in promoting active/attentive learning.
Objective: To gauge the indoor classroom lighting and assess its association with the attention level of medical students.
Methodology: This observational, cross-sectional analysis was conducted upon a sample of 300 medical students (chosen via non-probability – purposive sampling) enrolled in first and second-year MBBS at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro and Bilawal Medical College, Jamshoro. After taking written informed consent, the students were administered the “Bourdon Attention Test” in classrooms and lecture halls with different indoor lighting levels (gauged using google calibrated ambient light sensors). Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 21.0.
Results: Of the 300 medical students enrolled in the study, 52.67% were females, while 47.33% were males. The mean age of the sample stood at 19 years (SD ± 0.5). The mean luminance level recorded at different indoor educational settings (demonstration rooms and lecture halls) was 41.33 (SD ± 11) lux with a range of (8.3 to 91.0) lux, and the mean score was recorded for Bourdon Attention Test was 57%.
Conclusion: A strong association was noted between the mean luminance level of the educational setting and the mean bourdon test score of the students (P < 0.05). Thus improving the indoor lighting conditions may help to improve student attention levels and consequently improve learning.