Democratic evaluation of clinical clerkship in a medical school. A case study

Abstract

We report a case study of democratic evaluation of a clinical clerkship for medical students. We used a mixed model combining interviews and questionnaires to students, teachers and nurses involved in 9 weekly clerkship rotations in 7 hospital wards. The main outcome variable in quantitative analysis was the score of perceived usefulness for professional development of 42 Observable Practice Activities (OPAs) that each student should perform during clerkship. Scores were higher when the OPA was performed more consistently, was performed in small groups, and when the teaching and the evaluation methods were perceived as valid. The overall satisfaction for the program of teacher was high and did not correlate with students’ perceptions. The burden for patients was perceived as slightly higher in nurses, and did not correlate with teachers’ perceptions. When returned to students, teachers and nurses, these data could contribute to improve the program.