ABSTRACT
Background: Assessment for learning is a paradigm that is taking shape in the field of medical education. This approach aims to embed the assessment process within the educational and learning process. Aim: To evaluate the impact of curricular changes, from a focus of assessment of learning to one of assessment for learning, in the perception of undergraduate students of medicine and their final grades obtained in a theoretical course (TCG). Material and Methods: In the year 2011 lectures were reduced and intermediate assessments followed by a feedback session were introduced. The activities of each program course, surveys about student perceptions of the course and the final grades of students (assessments with multiple choice questions) were compared between the periods prior and after curricular changes (2005-2010 and 2011-2013). Results: As a consequence of curricular changes, time for lectures was reduced by 19.5%, time for summative assessments was increased by 8.5%, and feedback activity, occupying 7.3% of the course time was added. There were significant improvements in student is perceptions in all areas assessed by surveys, emphasizing feedback and assessments. The overall grade assigned to the course dictated after implementing the changes increased from 6.18 to 6.59 (p < 0.001, 1-7 scale). The grades of students also improved from an average of 5.78 to 6.43 (p < 0.001, 1-7 scale). Conclusions: Assessment for learning achieved the desired educational impact without increasing the assigned curricular time. Programmatic assessment is favorably perceived by students.
Subject(s)
Humans , Curriculum , Education, Medical, Undergraduate/methods , Gastroenterology/education , Learning , Educational Measurement , Knowledge of Results, Psychological , Perception , Students, Medical/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Background: Formative evaluation is a range of formal assessment employed by professors during the teaching process in order to modify curriculum activities, to improve student attainment. For students, it is helpful to evaluate their learning process. Although recommended, it is seldom used. Aim: To evaluate the perception and performance of medical students subjected to formative assessments during an integrative clinical course. Material and Methods: Fourth year medical students that participated in a multiple choice formative assessment, similar to the final exam during 2007 and 2008, responded a survey about the usefulness and quality of such assessment. Student achievement was expressed as the percentage of correct answers of the tests. Results: The formative assessment was answered by 99% of students. In 2007 97% of students considered the experience as excellent or very good and 92% evaluated it as useful or very useful. During 2008 the figures were 89% and 79%. The students outlined that this assessment oriented their study, allowed them to discover their weaknesses and have a perception of the degree of difficulty of the final exam. Over 90% of students that took the formative evaluation, improved their academic achievement. Conclusions: Formative assessments are well evaluated by medical students and improve their academic achievement.
Subject(s)
Humans , Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Educational Measurement/methods , Students, Medical , Educational Measurement/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background: Every doctor is expected to be competent in teaching. There are few initiatives to prepare medical students for this role. Aim: To explore residents (graduate students) and interns (final year undergraduate students) perceptions of the importance of acquiring teaching skills and how prepared they feel to meet this role. To determine the importance that undergraduate students give to such teaching. Material and Methods: Residents and interns participated in focus groups, and completed the Medical Education Readiness Questionnaire (METRQ), 5th year medical students were also invited to complete it. Results: Three hundred and seventy seven subjects answered the questionnaire. The perceived importance of having teaching skills was 6.1 ±1.2 among residents and 5.7 ± 1.6 among interns, in a scale 1 to 7. Their perception of their own preparation for teaching was 4.3 ± 1.6 for both groups in the same scale. Students evaluated the preparation of the residents for teaching as 5.2 ± 1.6 and that of the interns as 4.4 ±1.7. Seventy-eight percent of 5th year medical students reported to learn more than two. 5 hours a week from residents. Fifty-nine percent of residents and 66 percent of interns reported to teach up to 2.5 hours per week to the same students. Focus groups participants agreed that teaching is an important role for a physician, and that to do it properly requires personal characteristics, along with teaching skills. They also found that the best opportunities to learn how to teach are during practical training. Conclusions. Our study contributes to the recognition of the teaching role of physicians and the need for teaching training among medical students.