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Do junior doctors feel they are prepared for hospital practice? A study of graduates from traditional and non‐traditional medical schools
Author(s) -
Hill Jan,
Rolfe Isobel E,
Pearson SallieAnne,
Heathcote Andrew
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
medical education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1365-2923
pISSN - 0308-0110
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2923.1998.00152.x
Subject(s) - medical education , medical school , interpersonal communication , health care , medicine , family medicine , psychology , perception , nursing , social psychology , neuroscience , economics , economic growth
A valid and reliable questionnaire was developed which assesses eight subscales relating to key areas of medical hospital‐based work. This was used to evaluate junior doctors' perceptions of the adequacy of their undergraduate medical training to prepare them for hospital practice. Data from 139 (60%) first‐year doctors (interns) showed that graduates from the problem‐based medical school rated their undergraduate preparation more highly than traditional medical school graduates in preparing them for practice in the areas of interpersonal skills, confidence, collaboration with other health care workers, preventive care, holistic care and self‐directed learning. These findings persisted when ratings were adjusted for the effects of age and gender. There were no differences between the intern groups for patient management and understanding science. This research suggests that educational experiences in different undergraduate medical courses are important in preparing doctors for their early working life.