Abstract
Objective: To determine the association of perceived self-efficacy with academic performance of pre-clinical medical students.
Study Design: A cross-sectional analytical study.
Place and Duration of Study: Medical Education Department, Ataturk University, Turkey, from March to May 2012.
Methodology: Participating students were members of the first to third year medical students class considered to be preclinical years at Ataturk University. A validated and reliable questionnaire consisted of 10 questions applied to assess the general self-efficacy of the medical students in pre-clinical years and evaluate whether their self-efficacy has relation to their academic performance. Responses and studied variables were compared using ANOVA and Pearson correlation test as applicable.
Results: The mean scores of three consecutive examinations were compared with self-efficacy mean scores of three classes. A validated and reliable questionnaire was used for assessment of self-efficacy. There was no correlation found in between mean examination scores and self-efficacy mean scores in first year (r = -0.11, p = 9.276), second year (r = 0.20, p = 0.180), and third year (r = -0.040, p = 0.749). However, comparison of mean scores between male and female demonstrated significant difference (p = 0.001) and males dominant in self-efficacy scores.
Conclusion: The results illustrate in pre-clinical years at medical schools the general self-efficacy does not play any role in their performance.