Designing a Longitudinal Database for Cohort Construction in Medical Education

Abstract

Longitudinal data can provide important evidence with the potential to stimulate innovation and affect policies in medical education and can serve as a driving force for further developments in medical education through evidence-based decisions. Tracking and observing cohorts of students and graduates using longitudinal data can be a way to link the past, present, and future of medical education. This study reviewed practical methods and technical, administrative, and ethical considerations for the establishment and operation of a longitudinal database and presented examples of longitudinal databases. Cohort study design methods and previous examples of research using longitudinal databases to explore major topics in medical education were also reviewed. The implications of this study are as follows: (1) a systematic design process is required to establish longitudinal data, and each university should engage in ongoing deliberation about this issue; (2) efforts are needed to alleviate “survey fatigue” among respondents and reduce the administrative burden of those conducting data collection and analysis; (3) it is necessary to regularly review issues of personal information protection, data security, and ethics regarding the survey respondents; and (4) a system should be established that integrates and manages a longitudinal database of medical education at the national level. The hope is that establishing longitudinal data and cohorts at individual medical schools will not be a temporary phenomenon, but rather that they will be well utilized at the national level to innovate and implement ongoing changes in medical education.