The Comparison of Backgrounds and Characteristics of Students in Medical College and Graduate Medical School: A Case Study of One Medical School

Purpose: Information about students is important not only in developing curriculum and teaching strategies, but also in providing support to them.We surveyed students in 2004 (Medical collage) and 2007 (Graduate Medical School) to change our educational system to the GMS.By comparing the characteristics of these students, we expected the new curriculum to be more appropriate for the GMS students.Methods: Our survey tool was a modified version of the matriculating student questionnaires used by the American Association of Medical Colleges.60 (80.2%) matriculating students in 2004 (MC), and 71 (93.4%) in 2007 (GMS) responded to the survey.A total of 101 items were asked in 5 areas-1) Demographic Data, 2) Pre-medical school experience, 3) Medical school application, 4) Career plans and interests, and 5) Perceptions of Medicine and Medical Service.Results: Graduate Medical School matriculates have more diverse backgrounds and experiences before entrance than MC matriculates.GMS students are more sensitive to social issues and accountabilities of medicine and have a higher interest in working with other professionals.Both groups of students were similar in ranking medical professionalism higher than occupational stability or social economic compensation. Conclusion:We can use this information about students for curriculum development and, in particular, the differences seen between MC and GMS students could be helpful in improving medical education.If the survey were collected longitudinally and nation-wide, the results could be valuable for policy making not only in medical education but also in medical care and health of the nation.