The Educational Effect of Pre-medical Curriculum for a Service Learning Program

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A curriculum in medical school should help doctors achieve professional attitude, ethics and values by socialization process. However, existing knowledge-based curriculum has lots of shortcomings to reach these ideal goals. This study was operated to investigate the effect of a 'service-learning program' for premedical students in medical college of Korea University. METHODS: The survey was conducted from July 3 2006 to 5 at Chungbuk Eumsung Kkottongnae. A total of 99 students completed surveys; before and after the intervention. The questionnaire was consisting of necessity and goal of the program and it also include assessment of students' attitude and contents of the program. Each item was assessed by using 5-Likert scale. For comparing the items, we practiced paired t-test. RESULTS: 97 (response rate 97.9%) students completed survey. 53 students (54.6%) agreed 'the program is really needed.' About the questions 'self-development from program', 'the program will be helpful for medical activity in the future.' students gave positive answers. The participants' attitude, interest was significantly increased. Also 'the motivation', 'appropriation of the program and time allocation', 'general satisfaction' were all increased. CONCLUSION: 54.6% of participants thought a service-learning program was necessary for a medical curriculum and this program would be helpful to get self-development and professionalism. Active attending for a service-learning program increased interest and motivation. It will be needed further study about the long-term effect of a service-learning program.