Evaluation of Process and Satisfaction for Selective Courses in a Medical School

Kim, Do Hwan; Choi, Young Hyu; Han, Sang Yun; Shin, Jwa Seop; Lee, Seunghee

Abstract

The necessity of embracing selective courses in medical curriculum is increasing due to the expansion of medical knowledge and changes in the health care environment. In contrast to the abundant evidence regarding elective or selective courses during the clinical phase, articles focusing on the preclinical period are relatively scarce. This study aims to explore the development, implementation, and evaluation of newly-adopted selective courses in the first-year medical curriculum in a medical school which recently underwent a major curricular revision. First of all, the Curriculum Committee established goals and operating principles of the courses, and then the committee encouraged all participating professors to attend a related faculty development workshop after finalizing the list of courses. A survey was conducted at the end of each course for evaluation. Of the 36 courses opened in 2016, the overall satisfaction of students was 4.98±1.06 (out of 6) and showed a strong correlation with students' previous expectations, reasoning- and participation-oriented teaching, and outcome of the courses including increased motivation. In the open-ended responses, students and professors described not only intended outcomes such as acquisition of medical knowledge and increased interest in new topics, but also unintended outcomes including positive impression for selective courses and even high satisfaction and rewarding experiences, especially from the teachers' perspective. Although long-term outcomes remain to be seen, the results of this study show the feasibility and impact of selective courses and will contribute to effective implementation in other medical schools.