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Abstract
Background: To cope with a lack of doctors and in anticipation of the Bachelor-Master structure for Medicine, several Dutch universities offer graduate entry programmes for students with degrees in areas related to Medicine. The graduate entry programme is a four-year programme: after a transition period of one year students enrol in the fourth year of the regular six-year training programme.
Aim: The research questions in this study were (1) whether and when graduate entry students’ knowledge reached a level comparable to that of regular medical students and (2) whether there were differences in knowledge levels between graduate entry students with a university or HBO (college) degree.
Methods: The progress test results of ninety graduate entry students who were enrolled in the transitional programme between 2002 and 2004 were compared to those of regular third-year students.
Results: Initially, graduate entry students scored significantly lower on the progress tests, but differences disappeared within a year. No differences were found between graduate entry students with a university or HBO degree.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the increase in knowledge after a one-year transitional period is sufficient to enrol students with related degrees in the fourth year of the regular medical training programme.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Janke Cohen-Schotanus
JANKE COHEN-SCHOTANUS, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Head of the Center for Research and Innovation in Medical Education, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
Johanna Schönrock-Adema
JOHANNA SCHÖNROCK-ADEMA, PhD, is a researcher, Center for Research and Innovation in Medical Education, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
Tineke Bouwkamp-Timmer
TINEKE BOUWKAMP-TIMMER is an information specialist and a research assistant, Center for Research and Innovation in Medical Education, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
Gerard R. Terwisscha van Scheltinga
GERARD R. TERWISSCHA VAN SCHELTINGA is a student counsellor and coordinator of the transitional year for graduate entry students, Institute for Medical Education University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
Jan B.M. Kuks
JAN B.M. KUKS, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medical Education and curriculum coordinator, Institute for Medical Education, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.