An Effective Integrated Management System for Educational Reform / 医学教育

The Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences has introduced an integrated education management system to improve the quality of education. The management system was implemented by the Academic Affairs Committee and is run by the newly-created Kyouiku Suishin Shitsu (Educational Development Services). The management system evaluated past curricula and coordinated the introduction of new courses and integrated curricula designed to stimulate selflearning by students. The management system also integrated the student evaluation system and simultaneously coordinated faculty development workshops for all university staff to improve teaching skills. Several questionnaires showed that the new curricula met students' learning needs and provided a more objective evaluation system. The integrated education management system functions as a positive component in the improvement of the education system for students of allied health professions.

The Postgraduate Careers of the Graduates of the School of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, and Evaluation of the School Curriculum by the Graduates / 医学教育

The School of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, was founded in 1974 and had graduated 1, 561 students by 1994. From 1980 through 1987, 44% to 73% of graduates became hospital staff, 16% to 40% became university staff, and 0% to 8% became general practitioners. More than 80% of graduates did a 2-year residency (sotsugo-kenshu) at our university hospital and 40% completed a 6-year residency. Almost 10 years of postgraduate training was required to become an established medical practitioner. This length of time indicates that postgraduate training is the most important part of the medical career. About 80% of graduates earned doctor of philosophy (Ph. D.) degrees, whereas 93% became registered specialists, indicating that graduates tended to become specialists rather than to pursue Ph. D. degrees. This difference is more evident among female graduates: 85% became specialists whereas only 53% received a Ph. D. Most graduates considered the School of Medicine to have a good curriculum, but some younger graduates had complaints. The graduates chose their career specialties on the basis of their own interests and aptitudes. We should take these data into account to prepare a system of life-long education and learning.