Effectiveness of a Faculty Development Programme on Essential Teaching Skills for Allied Health Sciences Educators

Background There is a need to use innovative teaching-learning methods to promote motivation and learning among students. Students of allied health sciences AHS generally have a difficulty in understanding medical terminologies and concepts of various subjects taught to them. The faculty of AHS need to develop skills to use innovative methods to promote studentsrsquo learning. There is paucity of research on effectiveness of faculty development programs for AHS.Objectives The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a training program on ldquoessential teaching skillsrdquo for the AHS educators.Methods A one day training on teaching and assessment skills was conducted for twenty six faculties of AHS. Qualified faculties from medical education unit of medical college conducted the training on know the learners teaching methods assessment methods motivating students and self-directed learning. Effect of training on learning was assessed by pre-test and post-test knowledge questionnaire. The perceptions of participants were collected.Results The post-test knowledge score was significantly higher than pre-test score P.000. Interactive nature of the training time management and motivation to use learner-centric strategies were appreciated by the AHS educators. The educators expressed favourable perceptions of the training which enhanced their confidence in effective teaching skills imparted knowledge on innovative teaching and assessment methods and improved their confidence in classroom management.Conclusion The interactive training of AHS faculties significantly improved their knowledge of teaching and assessment skills and received favourable perceptions on its effectiveness. Periodic training of teachers is essential to enhance their teaching abilities and to impart quality education to students.