Shaping the Future of Medicine: The Effect of ‘Selective’ Choices on Tomorrow’s Doctors

Susan Thomas* (), Amreeta Dhanoa () and Uma D. Palanisamy ()
Additional contact information
Susan Thomas*: Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University
Amreeta Dhanoa: Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University
Uma D. Palanisamy: Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University

Institutions and Economies (formerly known as International Journal of Institutions and Economies), 2012, vol. 4, issue 2, 151-164

Abstract: This pilot case study examined the motivation behind selective choices taken by medical students in a Malaysian university. The study also considered the beneficial outcomes of Selective choices and educational activities that proved most useful. Qualitative approaches were used through triangulation methods such as semi-structured questionnaires, observation and document analysis. The study revealed that student choices were influenced by the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills (35.5 per cent), the prospects of having fun and excitement (24.4 per cent) and a general interest in the topic chosen (20 per cent). The educational activities found to be most useful were external visits (47.8 per cent) and practically based topics (34.4 per cent). A significant proportion (48.9 per cent) indicated that the Selectives taken have created awareness, provided new knowledge and valuable exposure to different educational experiences. The students reported that the courses have enhanced their personal development (13.3 per cent) and have given them new insights. The results of this study provided valuable insights into future improvements to the Selective courses, thus creative ways in designing the teaching and the delivery of the courses were implemented. In conclusion, the Selectives provided valuable exposure to students, widened their knowledge and skills both inside and outside traditional areas of medicine.

Keywords: educational activities; medical students; selective choices; selective influence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H75 I18 I21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://ijie.um.edu.my/filebank/published_article/3948/Fulltext7.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:umk:journl:v:4:y:2012:i:2:p:151-164

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Institutions and Economies (formerly known as International Journal of Institutions and Economies) from Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Teoh Wern Jun ().