Self-efficacy, motivation and anxiety in novice podiatry students

Background

Performance in learning has been linked to a number of factors, including trait-like differences and state-like individual differences such as self-efficacy and anxiety. The aims of this study were to identify the initial level of self-efficacy, motivation and anxiety experienced by students regarding learning scalpel technique and then to identify how this may change following a period of learning.

Methods

Participants were recruited from the 2^nd year cohorts at the University of SA (UniSA) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT). The Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) was used to evaluate ‘perceived competence’, ‘effort’ and ‘pressure-tension’ associated with scalpel use. This was implemented prior to students learning scalpel use and then again after a period of exposure to public clinics. Scores for each of these factors were calculated. Paired t-tests were undertaken on scores pre- and post- scalpel learning.

Results

27 students were recruited, 21 from UniSA and 6 from QUT. The mean age of the cohort was 21.4 ± 2.98 years old. None of the students had used a scalpel previously. A mean period of 109 ± 54 days was held between implementation (3 clinics at UniSA and QUT).

Table 1 Mean category values

Conclusion

The IMI determined that during teaching and subsequent use of scalpels students’ ‘perceived competence’ improved and ‘pressure-tension’ reduced. This tool may be used to evaluate the impact of differing teaching methods.