Impact of extended course duration and stricter study organization on attrition and academic performance of medical students.

AIM: To assess whether extended medical school duration, block/modular structure of subjects, not allowing students to transfer exams into the higher course year, and curriculum implementation in line with the Bologna Accord are associated with lower attrition and better academic outcomes of medical students. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated curricula at the University of Split School of Medicine and academic outcomes of 2301 medical students during a 33-year period (1979-2011). The following data were obtained: grade point average (GPA) at the end of the studies, duration of studies, graduation on time, and whether the student graduated or not. RESULTS: After extension of medical curriculum from 5 to 6 years, students had significantly better grades (3.35 vs 3.68; P<0.001), shorter study duration (7.0 vs 6.0 years; P<0.001), and more students graduated on time (6.5% vs 57%; P<0.001). Changes in the 6-year curriculum, such as stricter study regulations and adoption of Bologna Accord, were associated with better indicators of students' academic success. The lowest attrition and the highest grades during the studied period were observed after the implementation of the Bologna Accord in 2005. CONCLUSION: Introduction of a longer medical curriculum, block/modular subject structure, stricter regulations of exam transfer, and curriculum in line with the Bologna Accord may contribute to better academic outcomes and lower attrition of medical students.

Predictors of attrition and academic success of medical students: a 30-year retrospective study.

AIM: To determine attrition and predictors of academic success among medical students at University of Split, Croatia. METHODS: We analysed academic records of 2054 students enrolled during 1979-2008 period. RESULTS: We found that 26% (533/2054) of enrolled students did not graduate. The most common reasons for attrition were 'personal' (36.4%), transfer to another medical school (35.6%), and dismissal due to unsatisfactory academic record (21.2%). Grade point average (GPA) and study duration of attrition students were significantly associated with parental education. There were 1126 graduates, 395 men and 731 women. Their average graduation GPA was 3.67±0.53 and study duration 7.6±2.44 years. During 5-year curriculum only 6.4% (42/654) of students graduated in time, and 55% (240/472) of students graduated in time after curriculum was extended to 6 years. Variables predicting whether a student will graduate or not were high school grades, entrance exam score and year of enrollment. Significant predictors of graduation grades were high school grades and entrance exam score. Entrance exam score predicted length of studying. CONCLUSION: Preadmission academic qualifications and year of enrollment predict academic success in medical school. More attention should be devoted to high attrition.