Developing appropriate student learning outcomes (SLOs): Balancing pedagogical latitude and accountability in educating medical students

Principal Supervisor

Professor H.K. Ng, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology

Duration

2 years

Approved Budget

HK $1,000,000

 
  • Project Objectives
  • Description
  • Evaluation of outcomes
  • Dissemination of results & deliverables

Project Objectives

  • To develop, map, and store in a web-based database, student learning outcomes (SLOs) for the MBChB programme, paralleling international bodies’ frameworks;
  • To evaluate if learning outcomes are achieved.

Description of process and deliverables

The Faculty adopted a 12-Key Graduate Level Outcome. The “Intern” is used as an operational reference point for evaluating SLOs; intern coordinators discussed developed key practical procedures with appropriate competency levels. The Central internship Committee of Hospital Authority will consider this list.

Teachers, planning the final year examinations, reference cognitive domains covering the 12-key outcomes. A web-based SLO database was implemented (http://facs.med.cuhk.edu.hk/slo/). Some areas of concern (procedural skills, patient safety etc.) are being addressed.

Evaluation of outcomes

Formal and informal feedback indicates that objectives have been partly met. Surveys indicated that 60% of 212 students strongly agreed that the outcome statements enabled more focused studies, understanding appropriate assessment methods and contents which matched what had been learnt. Given the diverse disciplines in Years 1-3, further work will be completed in the next two years.

Dissemination of results & deliverables

The outcomes were discussed at Faculty retreats, seminars and at 2 major conferences organized in Hong Kong and China. Participants expressed keen interest in adopting some elements of our framework amongst key medical colleges in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.