Academic student performance in the initial section of the Doctor of Medicine degree from the Universidad de la República

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research that deals with the academic performance of medical students in the courses and exams corresponding to semesters from 2 to 6 of medical school, which includes basic, clinical and community studies. Data about enrollment, approval and non-approval of courses and exams, between 2009 and 2016, were obtained and systematized from official secondary sources of institutional origin. A quantitative ex-post analysis was performed in a descriptive study that included inferential statistical analysis in one of its items. Results showed:I) non-approval condition predominates in the exams califications, however, approval condition predominates at the courses evaluations; II) recoursing after renouncing to a previously approved course does not improve performance; III) performance in courses and exams of a cohort is better in those students who approved the final exam of BCC1 immediately after course than in those that did not (test χ; p < 0,001). In addition, it was detected a positive association between approving BCC1 immediately after course and the approval of a greater number of courses (Cramer´s V 0.508, p < 0.001) and exams (Cramer´s V according to periods 0.813 and 0.727, p < 0.001) in the considered lapse at medical school. These data will be useful for the evaluation of the curriculum structure implementation and for an eventual adjustment of the current regulations.