Perceived self-efficacy and academic performance of medical students at Ataturk University, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE To determine the association of perceived self-efficacy with academic performance of pre-clinical medical students. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Medical Education Department, Ataturk University, Turkey, from March to May 2012. METHODOLOGY Participating students were members of the first to third year medical students class considered to be preclinical years at Ataturk University. A validated and reliable questionnaire consisted of 10 questions applied to assess the general self-efficacy of the medical students in pre-clinical years and evaluate whether their self-efficacy has relation to their academic performance. Responses and studied variables were compared using ANOVA and Pearson correlation test as applicable. RESULTS The mean scores of three consecutive examinations were compared with self-efficacy mean scores of three classes. A validated and reliable questionnaire was used for assessment of self-efficacy. There was no correlation found in between mean examination scores and self-efficacy mean scores in first year (r = -0.11, p = 0.276), second year (r = 0.20, p = 0.180), and third year (r = -0.040, p = 0.749). However, comparison of mean scores between male and female demonstrated significant difference (p = 0.001) and males dominant in self-efficacy scores. CONCLUSION The results illustrate in pre-clinical years at medical schools the general self-efficacy does not play any role in their performance.