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. 2020 Jul 15;11(3):e111-e115.
doi: 10.36834/cmej.69332. eCollection 2020 Jul.

The current utility and future use of the medical student performance record: A survey of perceptions across Canada

Kulamakan Kulasegaram  1   2 , Melissa Hynes  3 , Glen Bandiera  3   4 , Patricia Houston  2   5
Affiliations

The current utility and future use of the medical student performance record: A survey of perceptions across Canada

Kulamakan Kulasegaram et al. Can Med Educ J. .

Abstract
in English, French

Introduction: The MSPR is a Canada wide tool that provides aggregate information on MD students' performance during training and used widely as part of PG admissions. This survey study elicits the perceptions of PG admissions stakeholders on the current use and future utility of the MSPR in Canada.

Methods: PG admissions stakeholders across the faculties of medicine were convenience sampled for a 15-question online survey in the fall of 2018. Participants were asked how and when the MSPR is incorporated into the admissions process and perceptions and recommendations for improvement. Data are summarized descriptively and thematically.

Results: Responses came from 164 participants across the 17 faculties of medicine. The MSPR was widely used (92%), most commonly in the file review process (52%) for professionalism issues. The majority of responses indicated that MSPRs were not fair for all MD students (60%) and required revision (74%) with greater emphasis required on transparency, professionalism, and narrative comments.

Discussion: The results indicate that though MSPRs are widely used in PG admissions their perceived value is limited to a few specific sources of information and to specific parts of the admissions process. There are significant concerns from PG stakeholders on the utility of MSPRs and future changes should align with the needs of these stakeholders while balancing the concerns of students and undergraduate programs.

Introduction: Le DREM est un outil pancanadien qui procure des renseignements regroupés sur le rendement des étudiants en médecine lors de la formation et il est largement utilisé dans le cadre des admissions post-doctorales. Cette étude par sondage révèle les perceptions des parties prenantes dans les admissions aux études médicales post-doctorales sur l’utilisation actuelle et l’utilité future du DREM au Canada.

Méthodes: Les parties prenantes impliquées dans les admissions aux études médicales post-doctorales de l’ensemble des facultés de médecine ont été échantillonnés par convenance pour un sondage en ligne de 15 questions à l’automne 2018. Nous avons demandé aux participants comment et quand le DREM est intégré dans le processus d’admission et leurs perceptions et recommandations pour des améliorations. Les données sont résumées de manière descriptive par thèmes.

Résultats: Les réponses proviennent de 164 participants provenant des 17 facultés de médecine. Le DREM a été largement utilisé (92 %) plus communément dans le processus d’examen du dossier (52 %) pour des questions de professionnalisme. La plupart des réponses indiquaient que les DREM n’étaient pas justes pour tous les étudiants en médecine (60 %) et nécessitaient une révision (74 %) avec une attention particulière sur la transparence, le professionnalisme et les commentaires narratifs.

Discussion: Les résultats indiquent que bien que les DREM soient largement utilisés dans l’admission aux études médicales post-doctorales, leur valeur perçue est limitée à quelques sources particulières de renseignements et à des parties précises du processus d’admission. Il existe des préoccupations importantes des parties prenantes aux études post-doctorales sur l’utilité des DREM et les changements futurs devraient correspondre aux besoins de ces parties prenantes, tout en équilibrant les préoccupations des étudiants et des programmes de premier cycle.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Perceptions of MSPR utility
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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