Measuring self-directed learning readiness in health science undergraduates: A cross-sectional study

The European Higher Education Area places students at the centre of the teacher-guided learning process and requires them to participate more in their education and to be responsible for acquiring the professional competences relevant to their career. Self-directed learning is a key means for developing the skills necessary for professional careers. To measure self-directed learning readiness in health science undergraduates. Observational descriptive cross-sectional study of a convenience sample drawn from the total health science (medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and psychology) undergraduate population (n = 1699) at the University of Girona (Spain). The data collection instrument was a self-directed learning readiness scale with 38 items administered to the 1134 undergraduates who agreed to participate. Just over three quarters of the sample (n = 865; 76.27%) completed the full questionnaire. Self-directed learning readiness was indicated by an overall mean (standard deviation) score of 143.65 (11.76) points. Nursing undergraduates obtained the highest mean (SD) score – 145.08 (14.13) – in the overall scale. Associations were observed between degree course and self-directed learning readiness in the learning planning, desire for learning, self-confidence, self-management and self-evaluation subscales. Women scored better than men (p