How to Encourage Medical Students to Learn Physics and Biophysics - a Task with Many Possible Solutions

The fact that among the students physics and biophysics are regarded as difficult, unpopular, and even sometimes boring subjects which some of them are neither interested nor motivated to study is not a surprise for the academic staff in the Bulgarian medical universities. In this point of view for all the professors, lecturers, and researchers participating in medical physics and biophysics education to inspire internal motivation and positive attitude towards these subjects is considered as an important step guaranteeing the effectiveness of the learning activity. One of the possible and most frequently used approaches in our department is to elucidate with appropriate examples the application of the basic concepts of these dynamic disciplines in the novel imaging and treatment technologies. Apart from this additional information, presented at the lectures of the basic courses of Medical physics and biophysics, the elective courses, during the multimedia exercises and tutorial in the aim of furthering students' knowledge they are being encouraged to participate at student scientific sessions where they present the physics principles of modern technologies for diagnostic and treatment. This is reassuring students' learning process shift from passive listening to an active and self-direct process of education. The pedagogical approach in our department includes also as a strategy to challenge and support students' engagement in research-related activities associated with the scientific projects of our department. This is accomplished by formation of small research teams of very motivated and goal orientated medical student who have demonstrated excellent academic work, profound knowledge and desire to learn during the semester and interest in participating in the scientific researches. This activity is being also supported by the Medical university of Sofia and according the Rules for preparation and conducting of the academic year each student has to have credits per year from participation in elective courses, involvement in scientific research programs, scientific reports or publishing in a scientific journal. The "researchbased" methodology of teaching is challenging, time and effort consuming task for the students and for the academic staff. It is associated with the necessity of providing time and gain access to the laboratory equipment. The numerous presentations at scientific conferences and the obtained awards and scholarships increase the prestige of the Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics and prove the importance of the obtained knowledge in the training of future doctors.