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. 2016 Apr 12:21:29705.
doi: 10.3402/meo.v21.29705. eCollection 2016.

Personal profile of medical students selected through a knowledge-based exam only: are we missing suitable students?

Milena Abbiati  1 , Anne Baroffio  1 , Margaret W Gerbase  2
Affiliations

Personal profile of medical students selected through a knowledge-based exam only: are we missing suitable students?

Milena Abbiati et al. Med Educ Online. .

Abstract

Introduction: A consistent body of literature highlights the importance of a broader approach to select medical school candidates both assessing cognitive capacity and individual characteristics. However, selection in a great number of medical schools worldwide is still based on knowledge exams, a procedure that might neglect students with needed personal characteristics for future medical practice. We investigated whether the personal profile of students selected through a knowledge-based exam differed from those not selected.

Methods: Students applying for medical school (N=311) completed questionnaires assessing motivations for becoming a doctor, learning approaches, personality traits, empathy, and coping styles. Selection was based on the results of MCQ tests. Principal component analysis was used to draw a profile of the students. Differences between selected and non-selected students were examined by Multivariate ANOVAs, and their impact on selection by logistic regression analysis.

Results: Students demonstrating a profile of diligence with higher conscientiousness, deep learning approach, and task-focused coping were more frequently selected (p=0.01). Other personal characteristics such as motivation, sociability, and empathy did not significantly differ, comparing selected and non-selected students.

Conclusion: Selection through a knowledge-based exam privileged diligent students. It did neither advantage nor preclude candidates with a more humane profile.

Keywords: assessment; medical students; personal characteristics; profile; selection; undergraduate.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Selection and distribution of students participating in the study and follow-up of students over the 2-year selection process.
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