Evaluation of the "Learning in a Laboratory" Program at the Kyushu University School of Medicine / 医学教育

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the “Learning in a Laboratory” program, which was introduced into the curriculum at the Kyushu University School of Medicine in order to motivate students in the area of basic medical sciences. Students were assigned to a laboratory and conducted scientific research on particular subjects. We found that the program improved the image held by students of the basic sciences and scientists. However, contrary to teachers' expectations, the program exerted little influence on student choice of specialty after graduation. More appropriate objectives of the program may be development of a faculty of medicine with enhanced ties to the basic sciences and an open attitude toward continuous learning. Evaluatoin of the curriculum and feedback to teachers was necessary to improve the program.