Assessment of Medical Laboratory Undergraduates Training in Different School Year Systems

Objective To assess the effect of the change from the 5-year system of coursework to a 4-year system on the achievements of medical laboratory undergraduates. Methods We analyzed and then compared the topics of training and the test scores among all subject individuals in the 5-year vs the 4-year undergraduate program. Results Five-year-program undergraduates and 4-year-program undergraduates were required to complete 50 courses. The average weekly education time in the 4-year program (27.05 lesson-hours/week) was greater than that in the 5-year program (22.99 lesson-hours/week). The proportion of clinical practice in the hospital setting in the 4-year program (26.8%) was higher than that in the 5-year program (24.5%). The average, excellent, and good scores among 4-year-program undergraduates in general education courses, professional basic courses, professional courses, all courses, and common courses were lower than those scores among the 5-year-program undergraduates. Conclusions The 5-year undergraduate program should be adapted to help boost the achievements and practical skills among its students, in helping them adapt quickly to the new, 4-year training plan (which presented a serious challenge in our cohort).