Entry characteristics and performance in a Masters module in Tropical Medicine: A 5-year analysis

Weigel, Ralf ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9034-2634, Robinson, Dan, Stewart, Martyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1037-7162 and Assinder, Sue (2016) 'Entry characteristics and performance in a Masters module in Tropical Medicine: A 5-year analysis'. Tropical Medicine & International Health, Vol 21, Issue 6, pp. 792-798.

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Abstract

Objectives
Postgraduate courses can contribute to better-qualified personnel in resource-limited settings. We aimed to identify how entry characteristics of applicants predict performance in order to provide support measures early.

Methods
We describe demographic data and end-of-module examination marks of medical doctors who enrolled in a first semester module of two one-year MSc programmes between 2010 and 2014. We used t-tests and one-way ANOVA to compare, and post hoc tests to locate differences of mean marks between categories of entry characteristics in univariate analysis. After exclusion of collinear variables, multiple regression examined the effect of several characteristics in multivariable analysis.

Results
89 students (47% male) with a mean age of 32 (SD 6.4) years who received their medical degree in the UK (19%), other European (22%), African (35%) or other countries (24%) attended the 3-months module. Their mean mark was 69.1% (SD 10.9). Medical graduates from UK universities achieved significantly higher mean marks than graduates from other countries. Students’ age was significantly negatively correlated with the module mark. In multiple linear regression, place of medical degree (β=-0.44, p<0.001) and time since graduation (β=-0.28, p=0.007) were strongest predictors of performance, explaining 32% of the variation of mean marks.

Conclusion
Students’ performance substantially differs based on their entry criteria in this 1st semester module. Non-UK graduates and mature students might benefit from early support.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > W 21.5 Allied health personnel. Allied health professions W General Medicine. Health Professions > Professional practice > W88 Administrative work. Teaching. Research WA Public Health > WA 18 Education
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.12702
Depositing User:	Jessica Jones
Date Deposited:	26 Apr 2016 14:46
Last Modified:	31 Oct 2018 14:31
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/5859

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