Evaluating Clinical Teaching in Medicine

Lee, Young Mee; So, Yeon Hee; Ahn, Duck Sun; Park, Seung Ha

Abstract

PURPOSE: Clinical teaching is at the center of medical education. To improve the quality of clerkship education, regular and structured program assessment is essential. The purpose of this study were to: 1) evaluate the effectiveness of the clerkship program at The College of Medicine at Korea University, 2000-2001, 2) to provide feedback to faculty, and 3) to improve the quality of clinical education.
METHODS
The subjects of this study were the fourth year medical students who had finished all the clerkship rotation. The questionnaire consisted of items covering 6 potential dimensions considered relevant to the educational quality of clerkship. The dimensions consisted of aspects related to: clerkship contents and curriculum, evaluation, helpful vs. least helpful educational activity, the characteristics of best and worst clinical teachers and the student's self assessment for clinical competency.
RESULTS
Most of students evaluated overall clerkship course contents and structure as negatively. Most helpful preceptor was revealed as residents. The characteristics of best clinical teacher were: 1) careful consideration and humanistic approach for students, 2) role modelling of good physician, 3) organized and systematic teaching, 4) enthusiam for teaching, 5) effective communication with either students or residents.
CONCLUSION
The results could be used for faculty development and improving the quality of clerkship course by feedback to program director. Also, this result suggested that teaching resident to teach is need to effective clinical teaching.