Effectiveness of Skill Lab Training on Perception and Academic Performance among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Medical education is shifting from traditional didactic teaching to competency-based learning, with skill laboratories playing a vital role in bridging theory and practice.
Aim: To evaluate medical students’ perceptions of skill lab training and analyze its correlation with demographic variables and academic performance.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 115 undergraduate medical students in the Department of Physiology at MGM Medical College & Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. Perceptions were assessed using an 11-item Likert-scale questionnaire covering domains such as safety, realism of simulators, adequacy of equipment, confidence, preparedness, anxiety reduction, and communication skills. Scores ranged from 11–55 and were categorized as low (11–27), moderate (28–36), and high (37–55). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, with correlation analysis applied to assess relationships between perception scores, age, and exam marks.
Results: The majority of students (93.9%) reported high perception scores (mean 48.66 ± 6.12). Strong agreement was observed across all items, particularly regarding confidence building, preparedness for patient interaction, and reduction of anxiety before clinical rotations. A significant positive correlation was found between perception scores and academic performance (r = 0.266, p = 0.0039), while no significant association was observed with age (r = 0.0652, p = 0.49).
Conclusion: Skill lab training is highly valued by medical students, enhancing confidence, communication, and preparedness for clinical practice. Its positive correlation with academic performance underscores the need for continued integration of skill labs into medical curricula to strengthen competency-based education.