Time management skills: Early sensitization among first-year medical undergraduates

Abstract

Objectives: Time management skills (TMSs) in medical undergraduates determine their success and development of clinical competence in the later part of their career. This study was designed for early sensitization of students to TMSs using “Modified Action Priority Matrix.” Materials and Methods: First-year medical undergraduates (n = 228) were enrolled in the study, after need assessment for time management, they were engaged in session for TMS development. They were sensitized about the use of a modified action priority matrix (MAPM) for time management. Results: On analyzing the results of pre and post-test sessions, significant improvement in students’ performance (P < 0.05) was noted. Reflection of students regarding the MAPM also depicted that this method helped them to manage their time effectively by ordering their activities as low, medium, and high priority ones. Conclusion: Skills of time management imparted using MAPM is an effective method and importance of early exposure of TMSs is undoubtedly high.