An evaluation of rheumatology education at Canadian medical schools

The present study uses data from a nationally administered multiple choice examination (MCE) to assess the performance of Canadian medical students in rheumatology. An average of 1722 medical students undertook to write the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) examination each year between 1978-82. Between 17 and 29 of the 516 MCE questions were of a rheumatological nature and the success rate of students from the 16 Canadian medical schools varied between 65.5 and 78.5% in any given year. No direct correlation was noted between the students' MCE performance and the amount of rheumatology education given at an individual university. Analysis of Arthritis Society Undergraduate Statistics indicated that the average medical student in Canada receives 17.5 h of didactic lectures, 10.4 h of clinical bedside demonstration and 8.9 h of direct supervision of rheumatologic patients by rheumatologists.