title: Evaluation of undergraduate medical education in Finnish community-oriented and traditional medical faculties: a 10-year follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study focused on Finnish physicians' views of their undergraduate medical education. Differences between traditional and community-oriented medical faculties were examined and changes which had taken place during a 10-year follow-up period were also assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was based on data retrieved from a postal survey made among Finnish physicians in 1998. The study population consisted of all doctors who graduated between 1987 and 1996 (n=4926); those born on odd-numbered days were selected for this study (n=2492). A postal questionnaire and two reminders were sent to those selected, and 1822 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 73.1%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physicians who graduated from the community-oriented faculties were more satisfied with their undergraduate medical education when compared with their colleagues graduating from traditional faculties. There were some differences between the universities with respect to education for hospital work. The teaching of primary health care, however, was clearly more effective in community-oriented faculties. The proportion of graduates who were satisfied with their primary care education was over 70% in community-oriented faculties, whereas in the traditional faculties it was only 35-45%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to graduates, the community-oriented medical school curriculum better meets the needs of practising physicians than that in traditional faculties. In curriculum reforms, more emphasis should be placed on comprehensive medical education, which includes both primary and secondary health care.
authors: Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Hyppölä
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Kumpusalo
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Virjo
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Mattila
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Neittaanmäki
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Halila
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kujala
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Luhtala
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Isokoski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011177:Postal Service; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires