A Comparative Study of the Perceptions of Competencies of the Medical Graduates as Assessed by Themselves and Their Supervisors in a Sri Lankan University

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the medical curriculum implemented at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (FMS/USJ) through the performance of medical graduates. Tvo objectives were formulated to assess,( 1) the extent to which graduates were capable of demonstrating the achievement of Institutional Objectives (lOs) of the FMS/USJ, and (2) the level of competency of FMS/USJ graduates in managing common health problems of Sri Lanka. Two comparable questionnaires were administered to intern House officers (HOs) of 95/96 batch and to their immediate supervisors (consultants) in order to obtaining the perception of competencies of the medical graduates needed to achieve Institutional Objectives (lOs) of the FMS/USJ. The quantitative responses obtained by HOs and their consultants were compared to calculate the statistically significant differences. Qualitative data obtained by the interview was analysed to recognise the rational explanations and elaborations in subsequent triangulation of data. Similarly, HOs and their consultants were interviewed to assess the level of competency of FMS/IISI graduates in managing common health problems in Sri Lanka. Perception of the present competencies and learning adequacies at the undergraduate period were obtained to identify strong and weak areas of the curriculum, Thematic analysis was performed to identify and clarify issues emerged pertaining to the improvement of medical curriculum. Results, overall revealed that the average perception of the achievement of lOs of FMS/USJ is satisfactory, although self-rating by HOs 56.1% (112.1/200) were higher than that of the consultants 49.4% (99.8/200). Out of the ten categories dentified, the lOs related to the category of Professional values, attitudes and behaviour" obtained the mean highest score both by HOs 62.5% (2.5/4) and consultants 60% (2.4/4). The HOs 42.5% (1.7/4) and consultants 37.5% (1.5/4) secured the least for the category of "Critical thinking and research". Common health problems perceived by HOs and consultants were considered separately in four internship disciplines (i.e. Medicine. Paediatrics. Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynaecology). Mean score for each area was more than six, in a ten-point scale. Similar to the lOs, the self-perception by HOs rating was higher than that of perception of the consultants. In general, present competencies of HOs in 'managing each health problem' was higher than that of the 'learning adequacies' during the undergraduate period and, the interview disclosed that it could mainly be attributed to the practical experience gained at the internship. Furthermore, the interview in-depth revealed the specific areas to be improved in the curriculum.