Motivation and satisfaction of medical students participating in an educational intervention on Pathology

Background: Undergraduate Pathology training in medicine is based on modalities centered on the teacher and associated with controlled motivation, with low satisfaction with the educational process. According to the Self-determination Theory, an early participation with responsibilities in clinical practice and an educational environment that promotes autonomy and basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS), would generate intrinsic motivation. Aim: To develop an educational intervention based on the pathologists ' workplace model, which supports a learning environment intended to the satisfaction of BPNS in medical students. To evaluate the results of the intervention on the levels of motivation and satisfaction. Material and Methods: In the first phase of the study, an educational modality focused on the student was planned, consisting of the design of a pathological clinical case (DPC), performing the specialist's steps under minimal supervision and a contextualized environment. In the second phase, the level of satisfaction (Scale of student experience) and intrinsic motivation in 3rd year medical students was evaluated. Results: After the intervention, 99 students showed high levels of satisfaction (94% of agreement) and intrinsic motivation (6.7 of 7 points), including all sub-scales. They considered that their competences had increased and assessed the intervention as useful. Conclusions: DPC is an innovative, feasible and attractive methodology for Pathology learning, with a high degree of satisfaction and intrinsic motivation. This experience can be extended to similar disciplines.