An Student's Evaluation of the Implementation of Problem-Based Learning / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the assessment of student performance in Problem-Based Learning, which was an elective course at Korea University College of Medicine, from 2001 to 2003, and to delineate effective strategies for Problem-Based Learning. METHODS: A questionnaire was given to 126 third year Korea University medical students. The questionnaire consisted of 25 items in 2001, 37 in 2002, and 64 in 2003. These items covered self-evaluation and overall evaluation of contents, learning environments, small group activity, and tutor in PBL. The respective reliability of items in scale was .67, .75, .79, and 81. Data was analyzed using the Spsswin.11.0 RESULTS: The results of this study are as follows. By most of all respondents, PBL was recognized as a more effective learning method, more interesting, and able to provide a more diverse spectrum of information than traditional lectures. Neutral or negative responses were given for educational settings. Competence of students was increased in the PBL setting. A large percentage of learning method was through the use of textbooks. Most respondents were satisfied with the small group activity and tutor. CONCLUSION: There should be sufficient educational equipments such as rooms for small group activity, textbooks, and journals for PBL. We have to consider student's characteristics carefully and to make concrete guideline and system for effective Problem based learning.

M.D.-M.B.A Joint Program Development / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to develop a MD-MBA joint program that will teach doctors professional hospital management and administration skills. METHODS: To assess the demand for hospital management and administration skills in the medical field, information was gathered from community physicians through a questionnaire. Personal interviews were also conducted with doctors having who graduated from a MD-MBA joint program and those working for hospital consulting firms. We visited institutions in developed countries offering this program and conducted literature reviews. Based on the data collected, a tentative plan for the introduction of a MD-MBA program in Korea was developed. RESULTS: The results of this study are as follows. Community practitioners realize the need for basic management skills and feel that hospital management should be part of undergraduate or graduate medical curriculum. In the United States, there is an annual increase in the number of institutions offering MD-MBA programs and in the number of MD-MBA graduates. These programs are run very systematically. It is apparent that the introduction of this program to Korean medical students is imminent. This program can be offered in Korea at the undergraduate level with the School of Business Administration in charge of the program, with the Medical School in charge, or as a cooperative effort between these two schools. CONCLUSION: Most private practitioners and medical professors recognize the necessity for a MD-MBA program. Systemic and experiential research must be done. Support must be given to finances, human resources and equipment in offering this program.

The Need Assessment of Management & Business Programs in Medical College / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: In this rapid changing society and medical practice, the professionalism in the management of a hospital is being required. However, most physicians do not have the opportunity for systematic training for management and business. The difficulties perceived by private practitioners in their real practices are surveyed in order to assess the need for education course on Management & Business in medical school. METHODS: From February 3rd, 2003 to February 20th, 2003, 2, 381 private practitioners participated in the nation-wide internet questionnaire, of which the response rate was 7.1% (168 persons). The contents of the survey include 9 criteria, which consist of problems of hospital management, the present method of management, the demand for Management & Business course, and the need for commencement of education course. RESULTS: More than 50% of the physicians who answered this questionnaire expressed difficulties in some criteria such as accounting, taxation business, and management of hospital staffs. Many physicians (66 persons; 39.3%) suggested lack of knowledge of management & business or such skills as the reason for it. Most of them dealt with these difficulties by discussing these matters with their colleagues (96 persons; 57.1%) or by themselves according to their own experiences (44 persons; 26.2%). Eighty two percent of respondents approved of establishing the new subject, Management & Business course and its education. In this survey, patient management, marketing, and tax-related fields were chosen as the most needed fields for education. CONCLUSION: It was revealed that most private practitioners realized the importance of the ability in Management & Business and agreed with the need for experiencing systematic education during medical education. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the in - depth research about establishing Management & Business course in medical school.

Evaluating Clinical Teaching in Medicine / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: Clinical teaching is at the center of medical education. To improve the quality of clerkship education, regular and structured program assessment is essential. The purpose of this study were to: 1) evaluate the effectiveness of the clerkship program at The College of Medicine at Korea University, 2000-2001, 2) to provide feedback to faculty, and 3) to improve the quality of clinical education. METHODS: The subjects of this study were the fourth year medical students who had finished all the clerkship rotation. The questionnaire consisted of items covering 6 potential dimensions considered relevant to the educational quality of clerkship. The dimensions consisted of aspects related to: clerkship contents and curriculum, evaluation, helpful vs. least helpful educational activity, the characteristics of best and worst clinical teachers and the student's self assessment for clinical competency. RESULTS: Most of students evaluated overall clerkship course contents and structure as negatively. Most helpful preceptor was revealed as residents. The characteristics of best clinical teacher were: 1) careful consideration and humanistic approach for students, 2) role modelling of good physician, 3) organized and systematic teaching, 4) enthusiam for teaching, 5) effective communication with either students or residents. CONCLUSION: The results could be used for faculty development and improving the quality of clerkship course by feedback to program director. Also, this result suggested that teaching resident to teach is need to effective clinical teaching.

Psychometric Analysis of Comprehensive Basic Medical Sciences Examination / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: Since 2000, the Korea University Medical College has conducted Comprehensive Basic Medical Sciences Examination as a summative test. Summative assessment must be dependable in that it meets the highest standards of reliability and validity. The purpose of this study were to examine the validity and reliability of Comprehensive Basic Medical Sciences Examination and to improve the quality of the examination. METHODS: The subject of this study was the examination materials and scores of the test. We conducted exploratory factor analysis to testify validity. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to examine the reliability. RESULTS: Only one factor was extracted from exploratory factor analysis. Its eigen value was 4.61 and it explained 65.93% of total variance. We could infer the extracted factor as an ability of basic medical sciences knowledge. The reliability coefficient of the test was ranged from 0.45 to 0.74. Of the total 335 item, overall acceptable items were 206(58.0%); the range of difficulty was 0.21~1.00 and discriminative indices were higher than 0.20. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the Comprehensive Basic Medical Sciences Examination in 2000 met the relative highest standards of reliability and validity. Item analysis could be of help to improve the quality of examination

Experiences of Medical Ethics Education with Case-Based Learning / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: This paper aims at reporting and examining the experiences of medical ethics education with case-based learning and large-group discussion. METHODS: The subjects were a group of 100 students in the third year medical student. The medical ethics course was designed to minimize unidirectional lectures and to maximize interactive work with a large group at the classroom utilizing cases as teaching material. In the middle of the course, all students were divided into small group of 4~5 members. Each group was to find and, based upon group discussion, analyze each different case containing ethical dilemma, and present it as a midterm report. To examine the effectiveness of case based learning in medical ethics education in a large classroom, the authors analyze the students' feedback and evaluation delivered in survey questionnaires from 94 out of 96 students. RESULTS: Students' feedback showed that small-group discussion, interactive work in a classroom, and case-based studies were effective as well as practicable for medical ethics education for a large group.

Lessons Learned from Optional Elective Course / 한국의학교육

BACKGROUND: The College of Medicine at Korea University has lunched the new curriculum which incorporated optional elective courses in 2000. Optional elective course is consisted of 10 subjects. 8 subjects are conducted in classroom lectures and 2 of them are active experiences in research or community service. The purpose of this study is to identify the level of achievement of its own educational goals and objectives. Also, we tried to explore the possibilities of improving this course for the maximum educational effectiveness.. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted a survey and the subjects of this study were second, and third year medical students who finished this course. RESULTS: 84.8% of respondents were aware of the goals of the course. 91.1% of them agreed this course is needed to enhance the effectiveness in undergraduate medical education. Most students agreed the course provide an opportunity to broaden their perspectives of field of medicine(81.4% of respondents). Also, this course provided good informations for students' future career choice(78.6% of respondents). However, students wanted to have more in-depth learning experience. INTERPRETATION: The implementation of the optional elective course at the Korea University, Medical College was successful. Despite of its initial success, the course has to be revised to allow students to get more in - depth study according their own interests.