Role of community service as a curriculum delivery tool in the outcome-based curriculum of the International Medical University, Malaysia
- Author:
Kwee Choy Koh
;
Sheila Rani Kovil George
;
Jun Wee Pak
;
Ying Tian Liow
;
Jie Xun
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Medical Education;
Medical Student;
Community-Based Medical Education;
International Medical University Medical Un
- MeSH:
Education, Medical
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2014;8(1):24-31
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:
The International Medical University
(IMU) has an outcome-based curriculum defined
by eight major curriculum outcome domains.
The attributes, qualities and competencies expected of a
health care professional form the basis for these outcome
domains. Community service is an effective curriculum
delivery tool widely practised by medical universities
around the world. We present the results of a survey
among IMU students to explore the effectiveness of
community service as a curriculum delivery tool in
enabling activities defined within the major curriculum
outcome domains of IMU.
Methods:
A self-administered 6-point Likert scale
questionnaire was used to survey student participants
of 20 community service events held in a rural village
between 2007 – 2012. The survey tool included
questions on demographic data as well as the perception
of the students on whether participation in the events
enabled them to experience activities defined under
the eight major curriculum outcome domains of IMU.
The one sample Student t-test was used to test for
statistical significance while regression analysis was done
to look for significant predictors.
Results:
A total of 255 students were surveyed, of
which 229 (90.5%) were medical students while the rest
were nursing students. Most of the students were in the
3
rd
(48.2%) and 4
th
(43.8%) year of their studies and
have completed the surgery, internal medicine and
family medicine posting. Six out of the 8 curriculum
outcomes domains were achieved through participation
in the community service programme.
Conclusion:
Community service is an effective
curriculum delivery tool for the outcome-based
curriculum of IMU where activities defined in six out of
eight outcome domains were achieved.
- Full text:P020150528358326390886.pdf
