Evaluation by graduates: a tool to stimulate change?

Abstract

One barrier to curricular change is lack of acceptance amongst teachers of the need for change. When King's started to plan its new curriculum, a survey of graduates was carried out to ascertain whether the course of study they had undertaken had satisfactorily equipped them for their medical practice. 371 completed questionnaires were returned, a 78% response rate. Deficiencies were highlighted in virtually all aspects of their skills training. This feedback was disseminated to all teaching staff. An immediate effect has been the implementation of a new course ma practical procedures in the existing curriculum to remedy a deficiency identified by nearly half the respondents. A course in 'Professional Skills' is also to be an integral part of the new curriculum covering all the skills deficiencies highlighted by the survey. This feedback from the graduates has been accepted by most teachers as valid and has, therefore, proved co be a useful tool to stimulate change.