Pattern and effects of left-handedness on medical education among medical students: a cross-sectional study.
Author(s): Lamis Aziz Hameed and Raghda Isam Saleem*
Abstract
Background: The widespread use of right-handed tools and the majority of right-handed instructors create difficulties for left-handed trainees. There is limited information regarding hand preference and its effects on academic and clinical education. Our goal was to assess hand preference, self-reported dexterity, and how handedness influences training among medical students. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study on the medical students at the College of Medicine/University of Basrah were given a specially created questionnaire. Using the Edinburgh inventory, Oldfield asked about hand preference for a variety of tasks. The pattern of handedness and the effect of left-handedness on medical performance were evaluated using the data. Groups were compared using the Chi-squared test. Results: Of those questioned, 263 replied. The preference for writing was used to determine handedness: Left (23%), right (77%). The prevalence of left-handedness was higher in women than in men. A statistically significant correlation has been found between handedness and study grade, with the rate of left-handedness decreasing as study grades increase. Sixtythree percent of the left-handed students said that their clinical training is impacted by their handedness, and about half said that it influenced their academic training. Conclusions: Medical students who are left-handed reported that their handedness harmed their training. These findings offer a glimpse into medical students' preferred hands and support the need to modify and enhance academic and clinical instruction for left-handed people.