title: Global benchmarking of medical student learning outcomes? Implementation and pilot results of the International Foundations of Medicine Clinical Sciences Exam at The University of Queensland, Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report pilot results for international benchmarking of learning outcomes among 426 final year medical students at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students took the International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM) Clinical Sciences Exam (CSE) developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners, USA, as a required formative assessment. IFOM CSE comprises 160 multiple-choice questions in medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics and mental health, taken over 4.5 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant implementation issues; IFOM scores and benchmarking with International Comparison Group (ICG) scores and United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores; and correlation with UQ medical degree cumulative grade point average (GPA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Implementation as an online exam, under university-mandated conditions was successful. Mean IFOM score was 531.3 (maximum 779-minimum 200). The UQ cohort performed better (31% scored below 500) than the ICG (55% below 500). However 49% of the UQ cohort did not meet the USMLE Step 2 CK minimum score. Correlation between IFOM scores and UQ cumulative GPA was reasonable at 0.552 (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  International benchmarking is feasible and provides a variety of useful benchmarking opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Macquarie University , Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schafer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hewett
authors.forename: Diann
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eley
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D020407:Internet; D008007:Licensure, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011793:Queensland; D013337:Students, Medical; D014481:United States