Performance in laboratory medicine: a comparative study among 5 medical programs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the performance in laboratory medicine of medical students. Material and Methods: All students took and passed the same course, clinical pathology, taught by the same staff. All had the same laboratory experience in the same laboratory. The examination scores on knowledge, skill and attitude items of each student were collected then analyzed. Results: There were 201 subjects included in this study. There were 142 students from the conventional program, 17 students from the MESRAP program, 27 students from the CTPB program, 3 from Scientific Olympic program and 12 from the joint program with the Ministry of Public Health. Range of scores of the subjects was 22.87 to 44.38 (mean = 37.78 and SD = 3.92). Significant relations between level of score and sex and program was found. Conclusion: The average total and skill examination scores of the Scientific Olympic program students were significantly higher than those of the other programs, except the conventional program. Background differences may explain this finding.

Keywords

• performance
• program
• medical student