scholarly journals Pre-graduation Grade Inflation in Medical Training in Turkey: A Longitudinal Study From 2005 to 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ENGİN KARADAG
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Grade Inflation ◽  
Academic Degree ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Course Grades ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Education In Turkey

Abstract Background: Grade inflation in higher education institutions, that is the increase in students’ grades, has been observed since the 1960s. There are comprehensive proofs that document the allegations, prevalence and severity of grade inflation in higher education especially in American universities for the past 10 years. This study analyzes the change in the ratio of those graduated with a “very good (>2.99)” degree from medical education in Turkey within a 15-year-long period, the grade inflation (when all other factors are constant), and factors that affect the course grade. Methods: The analyses were carried out using the grade point average (GPA) of 9.618 students graduated from the medical faculty of 25 universities in Turkey, and 288.540 student grade for 7.597 courses. The study used the “real” university random effects estimator modeling considering the differences in universities with correlation, ANOVA, t-test and ANCOVA analyses. Results and Conclusion: The results revealed that there was a marginal increase in grades in medical training before graduation after checking the effects of factors that might affect the graduation grades. The 29% grade inflation detected is in line with the literature and is one of the highest values that have been reported so far. It was also detected that the ratio of graduates with a “very good (>2.99)” degree was 17% in 2005 and it increased to 46% in 2020. Additionally, the class size, academic degree of the tutor, grade, content of the course, types of the universities (public & non-profit private), accreditation of the program, and the age of the faculty are important determinants of course grades. According to these results, it is clear that both the uncontrolled expansion of medical faculties in Turkey and the decrease in quality cause an increase in grades. One of the most important results obtained is that accreditation slows down the grade inflation. Both the course grades following the accreditation process and the inflation in the graduation grades (grade inflation) slowed down significantly in the accredited faculties. This finding is an important example of the necessity of accreditation, which is referred to as the “golden standard” to improve the quality of medical education.

scholarly journals Pre-graduation grade inflation in medical training in Turkey: a longitudinal study from 2005 to 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Engin Karadag
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Grade Inflation ◽  
Academic Rank ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Course Grades ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Education In Turkey

Abstract Background Grade inflation which is known as the awarding of higher grades than students deserve in higher education has been observed since the 1960s. There is comprehensive evidence that document the allegations, prevalence, and severity of grade inflation in higher education in universities around the world for the past 10 years. Methods This study analyzes the change in the ratio of graduates with a “very good (>2.99)” degree in medical education in Turkey within a 15-year-long period in terms of the grade inflation (when all other factors are constant), and factors that affect the overall achievement grades. The analyses were carried out using the grade point average (GPA) of 9,618 students who graduated from the medical schools of 25 Turkish universities, and grades of 288,540 students for 7,597 courses. In doing so, the “real” university random effects estimator modelling considering the differences in universities with correlation, ANOVA, t-test and ANCOVA analyses were carried out. Results The results revealed that there was a marginal increase in grades in medical training before graduation. Twenty-nine percent grade inflation was detected in line with the relevant findings in literature and this figure is one of the highest that has been reported so far. It was also detected that the ratio of graduates with a “very good (>2.99)” degree was 17% in 2005 and it increased to 46% in 2020. Additionally, the class size, academic rank of the instructors, grades, course contents, types of the universities (public & non-profit private), accreditation of the program, and the age of the medical schools were considered as important determinants of the difference in course grades. Conclusion These results show that both the uncontrolled expansion of medical schools in Turkey and the decrease in quality cause a significant increase in grades. Moreover, an important finding is that accreditation slows down the grade inflation. Both the course grades following the accreditation process and the inflation in the graduation grades (grade inflation) slowed down significantly in the accredited medical schools. This finding is an important example for the necessity of accreditation for universities, which is referred to as the “gold standard” to improve the quality of medical education.

The Regulatory Environment of Non-Profit Higher Education and Research Institutions and Its Implications for Managerial Strategy

2017 ◽  
pp. 336-351
Author(s):  
Marian Mahat ◽  
Alan Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
Research Institutes ◽  
Managerial Strategy ◽  
Market Pressures

The concept of strategy in non-profit higher education is a contested issue. It is argued that strategy, in the business sense, does not apply to a substantially public and more institutionalized sector such as higher education and is not achievable in complex, loosely coupled organizations such as universities. Additionally, strategy does not sit easily with organizations operating in regulated contexts limiting competitive market pressures. This chapter discusses the regulatory environment of non-profit higher education by focusing on one of the most highly regulated disciplines: medical education and research. The chapter will begin by developing a context for discussion by firstly mapping the landscape of Australian medical education and research. Subsequently, the chapter argues that medical schools and research institutes need to exercise as much discretion as they can in the area under their control, develop sound strategies to deal with their changed circumstances, and develop a coherent and defensible basis for decision making through assessing their environment.

scholarly journals Supplemental Instruction: Understanding Academic Assistance in Underrepresented Groups

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Michelle Buchanan ◽  
Kathrene D Valentine ◽  
Michael Frizell
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Graduation Rates ◽  
Supplemental Instruction ◽  
Grade Point Averages ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Academic Assistance ◽  
Course Grades ◽  
Comparison Groups

Student retention rates are increasingly important in higher education. Higher education institutions have adopted various programs in the hopes of increasing graduation rates and grade point averages (GPAs). One of the most effective attempts at improvement has been the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program. We examined our SI program on three facets: attendance, attendance’s influence on final scores, and graduation rates for students who had participated in these courses. These questions were also investigated focusing on specific comparison groups, as we looked into how these effects differed for Minority students and nontraditional students, when compared to their White and traditional peers. Overall, SI attendance led to positive outcomes: increased final course grades and graduation rates, even after adjusting for previous achievement.

Games in Higher Education

2013 ◽  
pp. 228-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudia Ribeiro ◽  
Micaela Monteiro ◽  
Sofia Corredoura ◽  
Fernanda Candeias ◽  
João Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Current Medical ◽  
Critical Assessment ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Status ◽  
History Of

Medical knowledge has increased exponentially in the last decades. Healthcare professionals face a lifetime challenge in keeping abreast with current medical education. Continuing Medical Education (CME) is an ongoing challenge. Traditional adult education, largely used in medical training, shows little effectiveness. Problem-based-learning has been proposed as a student-centred pedagogy to overcome failure of traditional medical instruction. In this chapter, the authors review the status quo of medical education, certification, and recertification in Europe. A summary of the history of simulation in medical education is presented. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using video games for educational purposes. This is also true for medical education. The use of serious games in medical education is reviewed, and its integration in medical curricula is discussed. The efforts to raise awareness of policy makers are described. Finally, a critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of these technologies as well as a proposal to overcome some of its limitations are made.

scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on grade inflation in higher education in Turkey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256688
Author(s):  
Engin Karadag
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Grade Inflation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Marginal Increase ◽  
Academic History ◽  
Education Data ◽  
Class Level ◽  
History Of ◽  
Education In Turkey

This study analyzes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on grade inflation in higher education. Data were collected from five universities in Turkey, including grades of 152,352 students who attended 2,841 courses conducted by 903 instructors before the COVID-19 pandemic and grades of 149,936 students who attended 2,841 courses conducted by 847 instructors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic causes a marginal increase in grades in higher education when the other factors that might explain the differences are controlled. Grade inflation of 9.21% is the highest ever reported in literature. Compared with a year ago, DD and DC grades decreased 55%; FD and FF grades decreased 31%; and the highest-grade AA increased 41% for courses taken during the pandemic. Additionally, classroom population, academic history of the instructor, class level, field, university entrance scores, and course execution and evaluation (grading) forms of course notes are important determinants. This increase can be explained by the effort of instructors who are accustomed to face-to-face settings. When they suddenly switch to distant education, they might try to grade higher to compensate for the unforeseen negative circumstances.

63. Developing a program for resident wellness at the postgraduate medical education office, University of Torontos

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Edwards ◽  
S. Verma ◽  
R. Zulla
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Residency Training ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Postgraduate Medical Education ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Resident Wellness ◽  
The University

Prevalence of stress-related mental health problems in residents is equal to, or greater than, the general population. Medical training has been identified as the most significant negative influence on resident mental health. At the same time, residents possess inadequate stress management and general wellness skills and poor help-seeking behaviours. Unique barriers prevent residents from self-identifying and seeking assistance. Stress management programs in medical education have been shown to decrease subjective distress and increase wellness and coping skills. The University of Toronto operates the largest postgraduate medical training program in the country. The Director of Resident Wellness position was created in the Postgraduate Medical Education Office to develop a systemic approach to resident wellness that facilitates early detection and intervention of significant stress related problems and promote professionalism. Phase One of this new initiative has been to highlight its presence to residents and program directors by speaking to resident wellness issues at educational events. Resources on stress management, professional services, mental health, and financial management have been identified and posted on the postgraduate medical education website and circulated to program directors. Partnerships have been established with physician health professionals, the University of Toronto, and the Professional Association of Residents and Internes of Ontario. Research opportunities for determining prevalence and effective management strategies for stress related problems are being identified and ultimately programs/resources will be implemented to ensure that resident have readily accessible resources. The establishment of a Resident Wellness Strategy from its embryonic stags and the challenges faced are presented as a template for implementing similar programs at other medical schools. Earle L, Kelly L. Coping Strategies, Depression and Anxiety among Ontario Family Medicine Residents. Canadian Family Physician 2005; 51:242-3. Cohen J, Patten S. Well-being in residency training: a survey examining resident physician satisfaction both within and outside of residency training and mental health in Alberta. BMC Medical Education; 5(21). Levey RE. Sources of stress for residents and recommendations for programs to assist them. Academic Med 2001; 70(2):142-150.

Indigenous higher education sector: the evolution of recognised Indigenous Leaders within Australian Universities

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey Kim Coates ◽  
Michelle Trudgett ◽  
Susan Page
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Indigenous Education ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Access To Higher Education ◽  
Public Schooling ◽  
Indigenous Students ◽  
Early Experiences ◽  
Commonwealth Government ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Over Time

Abstract There is clear evidence that Indigenous education has changed considerably over time. Indigenous Australians' early experiences of ‘colonialised education’ included missionary schools, segregated and mixed public schooling, total exclusion and ‘modified curriculum’ specifically for Indigenous students which focused on teaching manual labour skills (as opposed to literacy and numeracy skills). The historical inequalities left a legacy of educational disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Following activist movements in the 1960s, the Commonwealth Government initiated a number of reviews and forged new policy directions with the aim of achieving parity of participation and outcomes in higher education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Further reviews in the 1980s through to the new millennium produced recommendations specifically calling for Indigenous Australians to be given equality of access to higher education; for Indigenous Australians to be employed in higher education settings; and to be included in decisions regarding higher education. This paper aims to examine the evolution of Indigenous leaders in higher education from the period when we entered the space through to now. In doing so, it will examine the key documents to explore how the landscape has changed over time, eventually leading to a number of formal reviews, culminating in the Universities Australia 2017–2020 Indigenous Strategy (Universities Australia, 2017).

scholarly journals Web-based Medical Education During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Step Back or a Leap to the Future?

2021 ◽  
pp. 153473462110118
Author(s):  
Anna Eleftheriou ◽  
Aikaterini Rokou ◽  
Christos Argyriou ◽  
Nikolaos Papanas ◽  
George S. Georgiadis
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Virtual Teaching ◽  
Based Medicine ◽  
The Impact

The impact of coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) on medical education has been substantial. Medical students require considerable clinical exposure. However, due to the risk of COVID-19, the majority of medical schools globally have discontinued their normal activities. The strengths of virtual teaching now include a variety of web-based resources. New interactive forms of virtual teaching are being developed to enable students to interact with patients from their homes. Conversely, students have received decreased clinical training in certain medical and surgical specialities, which may, in turn, reduce their performance, confidence, and abilities as future physicians. We sought to analyze the effect of telemedicine on the quality of medical education in this new emerging era and highlight the benefits and drawbacks of web-based medical training in building up future physicians. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unparalleled challenge to medical schools, which are aiming to deliver quality education to students virtually, balancing between evidence-based and experience-based medicine.

scholarly journals European List of Essential Medicines for Medical Education: a protocol for a modified Delphi study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e045635
Author(s):  
Erik Donker ◽  
David Brinkman ◽  
Milan Richir ◽  
Paraskevi Papaioannidou ◽  
Robert Likic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Direct Supervision ◽  
Modified Delphi

IntroductionJunior doctors are responsible for a substantial number of prescribing errors, and final-year medical students lack sufficient prescribing knowledge and skills just before they graduate. Various national and international projects have been initiated to reform the teaching of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CP&T) during undergraduate medical training. However, there is as yet no list of commonly prescribed and available medicines that European doctors should be able to independently prescribe safely and effectively without direct supervision. Such a list could form the basis for a European Prescribing Exam and would harmonise European CP&T education. Therefore, the aim of this study is to reach consensus on a list of widely prescribed medicines, available in most European countries, that European junior doctors should be able to independently prescribe safely and effectively without direct supervision: the European List of Essential Medicines for Medical Education.Methods and analysisThis modified Delphi study will recruit European CP&T teachers (expert group). Two Delphi rounds will be carried out to enable a list to be drawn up of medicines that are available in ≥80% of European countries, which are considered standard prescribing practice, and which junior doctors should be able to prescribe safely and effectively without supervision.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Review Committee of VU University Medical Center (no. 2020.335) and by the Ethical Review Board of the Netherlands Association for Medical Education (approved project no. NVMO‐ERB 2020.4.8). The European List of Essential Medicines for Medical Education will be presented at national and international conferences and will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals. It will also be used to develop and implement the European Prescribing Exam.

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