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An Exploration of Medical Education in Central and Southern China: Measuring the Professional Competence of Clinical Undergraduates

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  • Xueyan Cheng

    (School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China)

  • Jing Chen

    (School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China)

Abstract

Background: The cultivation and assessment of the professional competence of clinical undergraduates is essential to medical education. This study aimed to construct a scale to evaluate the professional competence of clinical undergraduates as well as its determinants. Methods: The competence scale was developed on the basis of four medical education standards, the literature, and expert interviews. A total of 288 undergraduates from two types of medical colleges in central and southeastern China were selected by a multistage sampling strategy. Factor analysis, correlation analysis, and internal consistency reliability were used to verify the validity and reliability of the scale. Results: A scale consisting of eight factors with 51 items was determined for factor analysis. Cronbach’α coefficients among the eight dimensions were over 0.800, with mean scores of 1.76, 1.38, 1.92, 1.54, 1.77, 1.25, 1.60, and 2.34. Clinical undergraduates with above average academic grades achieved a higher score in essential clinical knowledge ( p < 0.05) and better professionalism was reported among females ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: The competence scale showed excellent reliability and validity. Respondents in this study showed a moderate level of professional competence. This study could be a reference for medical educators and policy makers in order to improve medical education standards for clinical undergraduates in China and other countries with similar settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Xueyan Cheng & Jing Chen, 2019. "An Exploration of Medical Education in Central and Southern China: Measuring the Professional Competence of Clinical Undergraduates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4119-:d:280415
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhuang Liu & Lei Tian & Qing Chang & Baozhi Sun & Yuhong Zhao, 2016. "A Competency Model for Clinical Physicians in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Marta Gil-Lacruz & María Luisa Gracia-Pérez & Ana Isabel Gil-Lacruz, 2019. "Learning by Doing and Training Satisfaction: An Evaluation by Health Care Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-13, April.
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