DO JUNIOR DOCTORS FEEL THEY ARE PREPARED FOR HOSPITAL PRACTICE - A STUDY OF GRADUATES FROM TRADITIONAL AND NONTRADITIONAL MEDICAL-SCHOOLS

A valid and reliable questionnaire was developed which assesses eight subscales relating to key areas of medical hospital-based work. This w as used to evaluate junior doctors' perceptions of the adequacy of the ir undergraduate medical training to prepare them for hospital practic e. Data from 139 (60%) first-year doctors (interns) showed that gradua tes from the problem-based medical school rated their undergraduate pr eparation more highly than traditional medical school graduates in pre paring them for practice in the areas of interpersonal skills, confide nce, collaboration with other health care workers, preventive care, ho listic care and self-directed learning. These findings persisted when ratings were adjusted for the effects of age and gender. There were no differences between the intern groups for patient management and unde rstanding science. This research suggests that educational experiences in different undergraduate medical courses are important in preparing doctors for their early working life.