Abstract:
A prime obstacle faced by a medical educator
is selecting the right student to be trained as
a doctor, and the general consensus is that
. this is a Iso the most difficult task. This study
was designed to evaluate the effects of
selected outcome measures on outcome
performance of medical undergraduates of
the University of Colombo.
A retrospective cohort stud y was cond ucted
using the performance (marks) of students of
4 batches GCE (AIL) 1993 through to 1996).
GCE (AIL) aggregate marks, attempt of
entry, district of entry, English language
proficiency and sex were tested as predictors
of success. Results of main assessments
were considered as measures of success.
Relationship between outcome measures
and outcome predictors were assessed lIsing
the multiple logistic regression model.
Data of 699 students were analyzed and 82%
of students entered from the Colombo
district. A higher percentage of first a ttempters (at GCE AIL) performed well
and obtained classes. Entering medical
school from first two GCE A I L examination
attempts was a significant positive predictor
of passing any examination (odds ratio 3.2
to 7.5) or obtaining honors (odds ratio 2.8 to
16.0). Attempt of entry predicted 5.4% of
the outcome (pass or fail) in university
performance. Correlation between the GCE
A I L aggregate mark and the student's
position in order of merit for the internship
appointments was -0.37 (p<0.001).
A combination of factors should be used in
the selection process of students to embark
on the undergraduate process as any single
factor is a poor predictor of outcome of
performance. We believe that the number of
attempts allowed to sit forGCE A I L in order
to gain entry to a medical school as well as
other degree courses should be confined to
two attempts.
