75.5% of the students had an enjoyable experience and the majority of them agreed that it helped them enhance their knowledge of drugs, remember diseases and drug names, and overall learning about the topic. Results: On average, out of 32 questions, one mark each, the students scored 52.69% and all students responded correctly on questions on the topic of hormonal contraceptives. The data were analyzed, using Graph Pad Software and presented as percentage of the responses. A crossword puzzle consisting of 32 questions on endocrine pharmacology was prepared and divided into two sections: the across section had 17 questions and the down section contained 15 questions. Permission was taken from Institutional Ethics Committee for the study. A total of 139 students participated in this study and were evaluated with formative examination and feedback questionnaire. Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 5th semester students of the second professional MBBS course. Crossword puzzles provide expansion of vocabulary, stimulate thinking capacity, boost confidence, and fasten up the learning capacity hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of crossword puzzle as an innovative self-learning tool in pharmacology. Enriching the learning environment through incorporation of a variety of teaching and learning strategies and methods yields enhanced learning. Introduction: Pharmacology is perceived as a volatile subject as it's difficult to recall and recite the core of the subject. ![]() The crossword puzzle is an effective tool for 'recreational learning' and can be used as an active learning strategy to promote self-directed learning. Students' acceptability for crossword puzzles further favours their usefulness as a self-learning tool. Students rated the crossword puzzles as a challenging and effective self-learning tool. The test scores improved when crossword puzzles, designed to improve retention of drug names, were incorporated in the self-study modules of pharmacology training. Of the students, 71.43 % strongly agreed that crossword puzzles enhanced their knowledge of antihypertensive and antiepileptic drugs and were helpful for remembering and recalling the drug names, 60 % students found it challenging and a good problem solving activity and 85.71 % students opined that it was a good self-learning, recreational activity. The response rate for the questionnaire was 100 %. The absolute learning gain was 33.9 % in Group A and 18.55 % in Group B. A significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed between the post-test scores of the two groups. In group B, average pre- and post-test scores were 6.03 and 9.74, respectively. In group A, the average pre-test score was 6.09 whereas the average post-test score was 12.87 (p < 0.05). The crossword completion index was 92.86 %. Responses to item 9 were recorded on a 10-point rating scale while item 10 was an open-ended question. Responses to items 1-8 were recorded using a 5-point Likert scale. Students' perceptions of the crossword puzzles were assessed using a pre-validated 10-item questionnaire. In both groups, pre- and post-test knowledge was assessed. Group B (Control group) underwent the self-learning module without the crossword puzzles. Students were allowed to refer to their textbooks. Hard copies of both crossword puzzles were administered to Group A (Intervention group) on two different occasions. ![]() Two self-learning modules containing crossword puzzles with antihypertensive and antiepileptic drug terms were prepared and pre-validated. ![]() This was an open-label randomized, two-arm intervention study, conducted with II MBBS students (n = 70), randomly selected and assigned to two groups A (n = 35) and B (n = 35). We also measured the students' satisfaction with this learning method. We evaluated the usefulness of crossword puzzles as a self-learning tool to help pharmacology students to remember drug names. Students of the second professional MBBS course of the Indian medical curriculum (II MBBS) perceive pharmacology as a 'Volatile Subject' because they often find it difficult to remember and recall drug names.
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