A Study on Evaluation of Clinical Clerkship

Since 1998, Yonsei University College of Medicine attempted a curriculum reform focusing on clinical clerkship. The reform concentrated on the next three categories; ① minor clinical courses following major clinical courses, ② selecting 9 minor clinical courses out of 18, ③ introducing ’Specialized Elective Course’ at the first semester of fourth year of medical school. The opinions from students and teachers on such matter were taken into consideration. The study draws its conclusion as follows; first, ’Specialized Elective Course’ satisfy students’ learning disposition and give guidance in shaping one’s career. Second, taking the major clinical course prior to minor clinical courses give students integrated clinical experience and closer connection among the subjects. Third, switching the minor course into elective course provide expanded choice of course selection and reinforce students’ motivation to learn. In general, the last two years of the new clinical clerkship showed a satisfactory result. Nevertheless, successive effort of preparing alternative measures should be made regarding the negative opinions in part. In order to do this, a school wide support system must be carried out along with the continuing interest from the students and teachers. The new attempt and study of such curriculum will outgrow the uniform and rigid education, reflecting upon the differences among students and learning goals, which ultimately help medical education to be more successful.ope