Selecting the future doctors: the role of graduate medical programmes

Graduate-entry medical programmes have been introduced in many Australian states. This has coincided with the introduction of learner-centred, problem-orientated medical courses and has resulted in a need to develop new selection pathways. Medical schools have complemented their primary selection tool of academic performance with tests of personal attributes considered important in future doctors. Schools with graduate-entry programmes now employ a combination of the results of the applicant's undergraduate degree, a semistructured interview and a psychometric test (the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test) to select students. Rationale for the change to graduate entry and the outcomes of this change will be discussed.