Preparedness for hospital practice among graduates of a problem-based, graduate-entry medical program.
OBJECTIVE
To compare preparedness for hospital practice between graduates from a problem-based, graduate-entry medical program and those from other programs (undergraduate problem-based and traditional).


METHODS
Survey of graduates (by mailed questionnaire) and organisers of clinical training (by semistructured interview); results were compared with published results of surveys of graduates from other programs.


METHODS
All graduates of the first intake of the University of Sydney graduate-entry medical program were surveyed at the end of their first intern year (2001), along with the director of clinical training or intern manager at each of the New South Wales hospitals that employed the graduates.


METHODS
Graduates' self-reported level of preparedness in the eight domains of the Preparation for Hospital Practice Questionnaire; and organisers' opinions of their strengths and weaknesses.


RESULTS
76 of 108 graduates from the graduate-entry program (70%) and organisers of clinical training at all 17 hospitals participated. Graduates from the program felt more prepared than did those from other programs in five of the eight domains assessed (interpersonal skills, confidence, collaboration, holistic care, and self-directed learning) and no less prepared in any domain. Organisers rated the graduates highly, especially in clinical competence, confidence, communication and professional skills. Opinions of interns' knowledge of basic sciences conflicted, with strengths and weaknesses mentioned with equal frequency.


CONCLUSIONS
Graduates from the graduate-entry, problem-based program are at least as well prepared for their intern year as graduates from traditional and undergraduate problem-based programs.
Dean
Sarah J
SJ
Department of Medical Education, Edward Ford Building A27, University of Sydney, NSW 2006. sdean@dme.med.usyd.edu.au
Barratt
Alexandra L
AL
Hendry
Graham D
GD
Lyon
Patricia M A
PM
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D018794:Problem-Based Learning