1. Does the national examination for medical practitioners contribute to a seamless transition from under- to post-graduate medical education in Japan? / 医学教育

ABSTRACT

<p>　As medical safety attracts attention, it has become increasingly important to ensure the quality of medical education, and more emphasis has been placed on educational outcomes. An ideal form of training, in which medical students undergo medical education and then transfer to residency training seamlessly, can be conducted by setting general competencies required for all physicians as educational outcomes, as well as setting milestones in the process. Accomplishing competencies is the pillar of outcome-based education, and the assessment of students' achievements is important.<br>　The multilateral assessments of their competencies should be conducted, including written examinations, performance tests, observational assessments, and portfolios. In the existing national examination for medical practitioners, no such multilateral assessments are conducted. To promote seamless transition from under- to post-graduate education, it is important for the Faculty of Medicine and medical colleges to appropriately assess students' educational milestones as a condition of awarding them with degrees, in addition to the setting general competencies and such milestones.</p>