Educational effectiveness of early clinical exposure with reflection / 医学教育

ABSTRACT

Early clinical exposure has been implemented worldwide as an effective method of medical education. The duration of early clinical exposure is 1 year in some universities in Western countries. In Japan, however, early clinical exposure occurs most often through health and welfare services, and its duration varies. One-year early clinical exposure and reflection upon it were implemented for first-year students at Mie University School of Medicine in 2006 to motivate them and to teach them about professionalism. The effectiveness of this program was evaluated with a questionnaire, a daily log, and a portfolio.1) The questionnaire survey revealed that students considered the program extremely valuable. They had learned much about communication skills, the relationship between medicine and society, patients' families, and professionalism.2) An analysis of the daily logs clearly showed that students were unsure and hesitant at the start of the program. However, they gradually became accustomed to participating in this program and began to learn earnestly.3) Qualitative analysis of the portfolios revealed that students considered 10 items important in the practice of medicine, including communication skills, responsibility, the value of being a physician, professionalism, and the motivation to study medicine.4) In their final reports, the students described the expected behaviors of physicians they should seek to perform, by learning medical ethics or through professionalism.5) In conclusion, 1-year early clinical exposure is a more effective method than short-term or intermittent exposure for medical students because of its uniqueness and the maintenance of motivation.