title: Readiness for Self-Directed learning among first year Saudi Medical students: A descriptive study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of the present study was to explore the readiness for Self Directed Learning (SDL) among first year Saudi Medical students enrolled at King Saud University (KSU) and Princess NourahBintAbdulrahman University (PNU) in Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  First year medical students were invited to participate in a descriptive cross sectional study design. Data were collected using a Self-Directed Learner Readiness Scale (SDLRS) which is a self- assessment tool aimed to assess three main components: self-management, desire for learning and self-control. The students responded to each item of the SDLRS on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS, mean, median and total scores were calculated and were compared among student's groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean score for the desire of learning was the highest (4.08± 0.5) of all the three components of the SDLRS followed by self-control (3.9± 0.9), while the least mean score was for self-management (3.7±0.5). Overall, differences between student's groups were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed that the overall SDL readiness of participants was good, students were highly motivated for self-learning and had the ability for self-control. However, they need assistance to improve their self-management skills.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Mona Soliman, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.affiliation: Dr. Ghadeer Al-Shaikh, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia College of Medicine, Princess NourahBintAbdulrahman University.
authors.forename: Ghadeer
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Al-Shaikh
keywords: Medical Students; Self-directed learning