In-course and career outcomes predicted by medical school selection procedures based on personal qualities

Abstract

This paper reports a 40-year follow-up of 57 graduates from the initial intake to an Australian medical school who were selected on the basis of either academic criteria alone or desirable personal qualities as assessed by non-cognitive tests and an interview (with a third small group satisfying both criteria). Both students and teaching staff have remained blind to the basis for selection until the present day. Analysis of their under- and post-graduate careers indicates that ‘academic’ entrants were more likely to complete an intercalated BMedSci degree and to become specialists, while ‘personal qualities’ entrants were more likely to graduate with honours, become GPs, and win higher degrees after graduation. However, gender more significantly predicted these outcomes, with female results similar to ‘personal qualities’ entrants and males’ similar to ‘academic.’ The results are interpreted with reference to the aims and structure of the Newcastle medicine curriculum.

Keywords:

• Psychometrics
• education environment
• outcome-based
• ethics/attitudes
• professionalism

Disclosure statement

The authors have nothing to declare. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Powis

David Powis, BSc, PhD, has been a university teacher of, and researcher in, Physiology and Medical Education since 1972. Over the past three decades he has worked particularly in the area of medical student selection with the aim of establishing appropriate strategy for selecting students for health professional courses. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Don Munro

Don Munro, MA, PhD, has been a researcher and teacher of personality and psychological measurement since the 1960s. He is currently a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Miles Bore

Miles Bore, BA(Psyc)Hons, PhD, was an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Newcastle, Australia, until his retirement in July 2019. He has published across several areas including the selection of medical students and student well-being. He is currently a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle.

Ann Burstal

Ann Burstal, BMed(Hons), was in the first intake of students into the medical course at Newcastle University in 1978. After working as a General Practitioner for many years she has returned to her alma mater as an Associate Lecturer.