A Study on The Quality Evaluation of General Medical Education in China: An Empirical Analysis Based on 36 Medical Schools

Abstract

Context: In the context of a healthy China, promoting general medical education and improving its quality have become key measures to strengthen primary health services and meet health needs in China, and it is of great significance to evaluate the current situation and quality of general medical education in China. The existing literature mostly studies and evaluates general medical education from a single perspective, lacking a comprehensive, systematic and integrated evaluation of general medical education. Objective: This paper analyzes the current situation, quality and key factors affecting the quality of general medical education in China, and provides a reference for medical schools to improve the quality of general medical education. Methods: The questionnaire was administered to 5271 students from 36 medical schools in August 2021 using a whole sample method. SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze the differences in variables among the groups using independent samples t-test and multiple regression analysis of the key factors affecting the quality of general medical education. Results: The mean value of students' evaluation of each question item of the course is 3.69-3.81. The teachers' teaching methods are diversified, but they neglect the cultivation of students' personality, and there are problems such as inaccurate positioning of training objectives and weak practical links. In addition, students rated the mean value of each question item of the general medicine faculty as 3.76-3.79. 95.9% of students with internship experience rated the internship process as generally satisfactory or above, but considered the number of general medicine practice sites insufficient. Curriculum (β=0.567, p=0.000) was a key factor influencing the quality of general medicine education from the student perspective. There were differences in the evaluation of the quality of general medical education in China by students from different types of universities (p<0.05). Conclusion: Students rate the current status and quality of general medicine education in China highly, and curriculum is a key factor affecting the quality of general medicine education from students' perspective. There are differences in the evaluation of the quality of general medical education in China by students from different types of universities. Quality improvement programs for general medical education should be designed in a hierarchical and categorical manner, and different measures should be taken for different types of medical schools to improve the quality of education.