Learning Pharmacology in Mexico: A Survey of the Use and Views of Pharmacology Textbooks by Undergraduate Medical Students

Abstract

Background: To date, little is known about the view of medical students towards pharmacology textbooks. This study aimed to investigate the preferences of second-year medical students towards pharmacology textbooks, and to identify the factors involved in book selection. Methods: Second-year medical students of the Medical School at the National University of Mexico (classes of 2010, 2011, and 2012) were asked to select their preferred textbook for studying pharmacology and preparing for exams from a list of nine textbooks. They also completed a 19-item questionnaire to identify and evaluate the reasons for their preferences. Results: A total of 1323 students completed the questionnaire, representing 45.59% of all medical students enrolled in 2010 - 2012. The two textbooks most preferred by students were Good man & Gilman (25.3%) and Rodriguez et al. (27.3%); preferences for the other books were Harvey & Champe (13.9%), Rang et al. (13.5%), or Katzung et al. (12.3%), and others (7.6%). The usefulness and the adequacy of content were deemed equally important by students when choosing a textbook . Conclusions: Goodman & Gilman, a well-known pharmacology textbook, and Rodriguez et al., a small-volume textbook, were preferred by these second-year medical students; their choices were based on relevant pharmacological information and adequacy of content.