Korean J Med Educ.  2025 Mar;37(1):13-21. 10.3946/kjme.2025.319.

The role of transfer motivation and self-efficacy on student satisfaction during early clinical experiences in South Korea: a cross-sectional study

• Song IK
• Jang HY
• Chae SJ

• KMID: 2565295
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2025.319

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the factors influencing premedical students’ satisfaction with early clinical experience and determine the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between learning motivation and satisfaction.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 35 second-year premedical students who completed the early clinical experience course and responded to course evaluation questionnaires on self-efficacy, transfer motivation, and student satisfaction. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, Baron and Kenny’s hierarchical multiple regression analyses, and the Sobel test.
Results
Student satisfaction was significantly correlated with self-efficacy (r=0.724, p<0.01) and transfer motivation (r=0.538, p<0.01). Self-efficacy and transfer motivation were also highly correlated (r=0.789, p<0.01). Multiple regression analyses and Sobel test indicated that self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between student satisfaction and transfer motivation (Z=2.704, p<0.01).
Conclusion
In this study, early clinical experience program increased premedical students’ self-efficacy and transfer motivation for clinical knowledge and confirmed that self-efficacy mediated student satisfaction. These findings demonstrate the positive effects of early clinical experience on the medical school curriculum and suggest the need for educational strategies to increase self-efficacy in learning.

Keyword

Early clinical experience; Medical school; Premedical students; Self-efficacy; Transfer motivation