http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22540877

BMC Med Educ. 2012 Apr 27;12(1):23. [Epub ahead of print]

Clinical capabilities of graduates of an outcomesbased integrated medical program.

Scicluna HA, Grimm MC, O 8217 Sullivan AJ, Harris P, Pilotto LS, Jones PD, McNeil HP.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: To evaluate perceived and assessed clinical capabilities of recent graduates of an outcomes-based integrated medical program and compare to benchmarks from traditional content-based or process-based programs.

METHOD:

Self-perceived capability in a range of clinical tasks and assessment of medical education as preparation for hospital practice were evaluated in recent graduates after 3 months working as junior doctors. Responses of the 2009 graduates of the University of New South Wales' (UNSW) new outcomes-based integrated medical education program were compared to those of the 2007 graduates of UNSW's previous content-based program, to published data from other Australian medical schools, and to hospital-based supervisor evaluations of their clinical competence.

RESULTS:

Three months into internship, graduates from UNSW's new outcomes-based program rated themselves to have good clinical and procedural skills, with ratings that indicated significantly greater capability than graduates of the previous UNSW content-based program. New program graduates rated themselves significantly more prepared for hospital practice in the confidence (reflective practice), prevention (social aspects of health), interpersonal skills (communication), and collaboration (teamwork) subscales than old program students, and significantly better or equivalent to published benchmarks of graduates from other Australian medical schools. Clinical supervisors rated new program graduates highly capable for teamwork, reflective practice and communication.

CONCLUSIONS:

Medical students from an outcomes-based integrated program graduate with excellent self-rated and supervisor-evaluated capabilities in a range of clinically-relevant outcomes. The program-wide curriculum reform at UNSW has had a major impact in developing capabilities in new graduates that are important for 21st century medical practice.