Medical education
-
A recent controlled study by our group showed that the dropout rate in the first 2 years of study of medical students selected for entry by the assessment of a combination of non-cognitive and cognitive abilities was 2.6 times lower than that of a control group of students admitted by lottery. The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of these two groups in the clinical phase. ⋯ The selected group received significantly higher mean grades on their first five clerkships, which could not be attributed to factors other than the selection procedure. Although the risk for dropout before the clinical phase increased somewhat in both groups, the actual dropout rate proved to be twice as low in the selected group.
-
A particularly onerous aspect of the transition from medical student to practising doctor concerns the necessity to be able to rapidly identify acutely unwell patients and initiate appropriate resuscitation. These are skills in which many graduates feel poorly prepared and are considered by some to be best learned on the job. This constructivist study investigated the factors that influence the behaviour of junior doctors in this context and initiated the development of a framework that promotes understanding of this important area. ⋯ Although the potential of metacognitive strategies to reduce medical error is acknowledged, the framework promotes looking beyond the individual to consider the contributions to patient safety of identity issues, role uncertainty and the hierarchical clinical environment. A more distributed approach to situation awareness may help junior doctors to better tolerate complexity and uncertainty. The efficacy of simulation as an educational strategy may be improved by finding ways to recreate the hierarchical and stressful environment in which junior doctors practise. Junior doctors should be aware of the impact of affect and emotion on behaviour, and clinical supervisors should strive to ensure that roles and responsibilities are explicitly discussed.
-
UK medical school traditional selection processes are faltering in their ability to distinguish among highly qualified candidates. New methods of selection, including the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), herald a new era in which candidates are selected on aptitude and also aim to widen participation. However, the predictive validity of UKCAT and its role in the selection process are yet to be defined. This paper examines current selection practices and questions the role that such an aptitude test may take. ⋯ UKCAT can facilitate the independent selection of appropriate candidates for interview when used as described. However, UKCAT is not predictive of success at interview. The long-term predictive validity of UKCAT is currently under investigation. Therefore, we conclude that UKCAT is best viewed as a useful adjunct to current selection processes.