Report: Holding clinical competency examination among medical students in Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction:The purpose of evaluating educational curriculums is to improve training programs. The application of the results obtained from these evaluations is the proof of success or failure of the program. This study was carried out to report codification of operational plan of the clinical competence examination for medical students. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the operating process of evaluation program is explained by details step by step. This survey was based on a questionnaire collected from 200 participants of the first clinical competence examination of medical students. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Of all the participants, 55.8% were female and 44.2% were male. There was no statistically significant difference in score averages between male and female students (14.55 ± 1.72 vs.14.55 ± 1.3; P = 0.970). Mean pre-internship exam score among male students was 126.73 ± 21.04 and 128.18 ± 20.96 among female students, and the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.630). There was a statistically significant but weak correlation between examination and pre-internship scores (r = 0.27, P < 0.001). Exam scores were statistically higher as the absent sessions of students decreased (P = 0.010). Conclusion: Codification of the administrative process and consequently obtaining results has been effective in success of evaluation program and application of the results in future programs. Also it informs authorities how much the goals of training program is satisfied and reminds the necessity of execution of corrective programs.