Medical Graduate Perceptions about Clinical Curriculum

Abstract

Medical  Graduate Perceptions about Clinical Curriculum

Rita   Paisarntantiwong  MD, MHPE

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Objective: To assess the medical graduate perceptions about clinical curriculum.

Study design: Cross - sectional descriptive study.

Subjects: A total of 86 of medical graduates from Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University and BMA Medical college and Vajira Hospital who graduated in academic year 2000.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were collected in a classroom at the end of the academic year on the day of final general meeting with the faculty prior to graduation which was March 10, 2001. The questionnaires consisted of four parts. Part I, sought demographic information on each graduate. Part II,subjects were asked to rate their levels of agreement using a 5 point Likert-type scale about their competencies for three items. Part III, subjects were asked to rate their levels of agreement using a 5 point Likert - type scale about their satisfactions on learning experiences for five items. In addition, subjects were asked to comment on theit ratings. Part IV, subjects were asked to offer suggestions for improving clinical learning experiences.

Main outcome measures: Medical graduates perceptions about their competencies and satisfactions on clinical learning experiences.

Results: the questionnaires were completed by 93.5% of medical graduates. The medical graduates aged 21-26 years. They were men 37.2% and women 62.8%. Their perceptions about competency revealed that 83. 7% agreed that they had adequate knowledge and competency needed for clinical practice and 16.3% were unsure that they had adequate knowledge and competency needed for clinical practice; 89.6% agreed that they could provide appropriate holistic care for basic clinical practice and 10.4% were unsure that they could provide appropriate holistic care for basic clinical practice; 96.5%  agreed that they could continue  their individual search for additional knowledge from resources and 3.5% were unsure that they could continue their individual search for additional knowledge from resources. Comparison of male and female graduates' perceptions about their competencies showed no significant difference (p>0.05). The numbers of medical graduates who satisfied with learning experiences of knowledge, physical  examination skill. technical procedure skill, ethics and communication skills were 91.9% ,83.7%,79.1%,77.9% and 69.8% respectively.  Suggestions offered by more than 11% of medical graduates were that sixth-year medical students should have more actively participation in ward rounds and conferences; there should be more technical procedures available; the opportunities for sixth - year medical students to train in other hospitals should be increased since more technical procedures were available and there should be more emphasis on problem - solving in knowledge providing.

Conclusions: Medical graduates generally possess adequate knowledge and competence needed for their professions. The majority of medical graduates satisfied with the learning experiences provided.

Key words: medical graduates, curriculum, perception

Vajira Med J 2002 ; 46 : 161 - 168