Leisure Reading habits and user-centered recommendations from medical undergraduates: Insights from a Sri Lankan medical library

Abstract

This study aimed to explore medical undergraduates' Leisure Reading (LR) habits and suggestions to improve the LR collection, and it is the first such documented investigation in a medical library of a Sri Lankan state university. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. Stratified random sampling gathered 274 students across 04 academic years. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed. SPSS (v.28) and thematic analysis method were used for quantitative and qualitative analysis, respectively. The response rate was 91% (n=249). LR frequencies were daily 21 (8.4%), monthly 29 (11.7%), weekly 37 (15.0%), rarely 127 (51.0%), never 35 (13.9%). A significant association was observed between academic year and reading frequency (x2, P<0.05). Academic years 1 and 3 were more strongly associated with 'rarely' reading, whereas years 2 and 4 with, 'never' reading. Popular genres were mystery 124 (49.6%), fantasy 115 (46.0%), and adventure 101 (40.5%). Highly preferred language was English 124 (49.6%). Many students, 146 (58.4%) accepted that LR practice declined after university entrance. Increased mobile phone usage 45 (18.2%), lack of interest 43 (17.2%), and time constraints 42 (16.8%) were common reasons associated. A majority 199 (80.0%) mentioned that social media usage reduced their reading interests. Genre preferences were influenced by gender. Males favored science and historical fiction, where females favored fantasy and mystery (x2, p<0.05). Tree genre-based reader profiles were revealed via cluster analysis (preferring science fiction, fantasy and thrillers/biographies, professional development stories, and poetry/different genres with less intensity). Considerable number of (n=107; 43.0%) students read e-formats. Popular e-formats were PDFs 25 (23.2%), YouTube 21 (19.6%), and Apple Books 17 (16.1%). Many 212 (85.0%) believe 'LR inculcates humanistic qualities in health professionals'. Frequent readers and those who used e-books were more likely to view LR as a means of supporting humanistic qualities (p < 0.05). User suggestions were categorized into 15 themes from the thematic analysis. This study provides evidence-based patterns in LR habits of medical students, highlighting empirically grounded enrichments of LR collections.