Attached
Introduction and objectives: Community Based Medical Learning (CBML) Programme of the Faculty
of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP) focuses on student training in a rural
setting to empower the medical graduates to provide quality health care to the rural communities with
minimal resources. CBML Programme for the year 2015 was held at Kalutara District as one week
residential Programme from 19111 to 26th July.Objectives were to assessthe effectiveness of CBML
Programme with regards to knowledge, skills and favourable attitudes of the students to work efficiently
in any primary care setting with limited resources.
Method: A pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire with 22 questions was designed to
assess the knowledge about prevalent problems, health seeking behavior of the people in this community
and the facilities available and possible care provisions at primary care level. There were some questions
to assess the skills and attitudes of the medical students to work in a rural area. This was administered
before and after the CBML program to 146 Medical undergraduates. Data was analysed using SPSS.
Results: Students showed a significant improvement in all fields (p<0.05).They showed improved
interest in working in rural primary care setup and developed confidence in working effectively in the
rural healthcare setting. Students admitted a significant improvement in their knowledge in health seeking
behaviours of rural communities and gained confidence in acting as responsible member in the rural
community.
Conclusions: A CBML programme in a medical curriculum significantly
