Learning needs in a medical curriculum in Hong Kong

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Curriculum Development
• Graduate Studies

Background:

• The University of Hong Kong implemented a new medical curriculum in 1997.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of curriculum changes is crucial for medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess how medical graduates perceived the fulfillment of their learning needs under the old (pre-1997) and new (post-1997) curricula.
• To identify specific areas lacking emphasis in both curricula from the graduates' perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective questionnaire survey was conducted among medical graduates from the University of Hong Kong.
• Participants included graduates trained under the old (1997-2001) and new (2002-2006) curricula.
• The survey was administered online and in paper form, achieving a 23% response rate.

Main Results:

• Graduates from both curricula reported insufficient emphasis on research skills, population health, and ophthalmology.
• Specific curriculum reform areas like interpersonal skills were noted by old curriculum graduates, while new curriculum graduates highlighted anatomy and microbiology.
• Both groups identified business administration, law, professional English, life coaching, and humanities as key lacking areas for career and personal growth.

Conclusions:

• The 1997 curriculum reform at the University of Hong Kong successfully addressed some identified learning needs.
• The study highlights persistent educational gaps, particularly in non-clinical areas, necessitating further curriculum adjustments for the planned 2012 reform.