Curriculum Planning Workshop 2
Selection
The second curriculum workshop for the new graduate entry medical course examined the principles and policies that determine an effective and feasible selection process. The workshop examined recent literature in this area as well as analyses of current selection policies. The aim of the workshop was, in the light of best evidence, to make recommendations to the Melbourne Medical School about the best selection procedures and policies to be applied to the new medical course.
Participants were all members of one (or more) of the five curriculum committees coordinating the current MBBS program (Biomedical Science, Clinical Science, Health Practice, Advanced Medical Science (AMS) and Medical Course Committees) and/or members of the Melbourne Medical School Executive. In addition two memebers of the community, the Director of Career Education Association of Victoria and a member of the University's legal team attended. Participants were provided with a selection of prereading materials one week prior to the workshop.
The workshop began with a debate about the underlying principles of medical student selection. This debate then framed a facilitated discussion of selection principles which ended with a presentation of current graduate medical students' selection and outcomes.
In the next session there were presentations about the measures that might be applied to the three major domains of selection - academic merit, aptitude for medical practice (or the medical course), and personal qualities. Small groups then aimed to answer several selection questions.
Group captains reported back on discussions and a consensus response was reached on each of the questions by the whole group.
In the afternoon the results of the consensus responses were applied to the other cohorts to be considered in selection - the Extended Rural Cohort, international students, and students with guaranteed places.
A summary report of the workshop is now available.
