Grade inflation in internal medicine clerkships: results of a national survey

Abstract

Background: There has been a discussion among medical educators concerning grade inflation; however, little has been written about it in the medical education literature.

Purpose: A survey was developed to determine if grade inflation exists by gathering data about grading practices and by gathering the opinions of course directors from Internal Medicine clerkships.

Methods: The survey was administered during the 1996-1997 academic year to all 125 LCME accredited medical school Internal Medicine Clerkship Directors. Grading practices for 3 separate academic years were obtained plus responses to questions about causes of and solutions for grade inflation.

Results: Eighty-three surveys were returned for a 66% response rate. There was a trend towards higher grades across the 3 study years, with the 1995-1996 year being statistically significant. Forty-eight percent of the clerkship directors felt that grade inflation existed in their courses, and 43% felt that some students passed who should have failed.

Conclusion: Statistically significant grade inflation exists in Internal Medicine clerkships. Most disturbingly, 43% feel we are unable appropriately to identify incompetent students.