Potential influence of selection criteria on the demographic composition of students in an Australian medical school

Abstract

BackgroundPrior to 1999 students entering our MBBS course were selected on academic performance alone. We have now evaluated the impact on the demographics of subsequent cohorts of our standard entry students (those entering directly from high school) of the addition to the selection process of an aptitude test (UMAT), a highly structured interview and a rural incentive program.MethodsStudents entering from 1985 to 1998, selected on academic performance alone (N = 1402), were compared to those from 1999 to 2011, selected on the basis of a combination of academic performance, interview score, and UMAT score together with the progressive introduction of a rural special entry pathway (N = 1437).ResultsMales decreased from 57% to 45% of the cohort, students of NE or SE Asian origin decreased from 30% to 13%, students born in Oceania increased from 52% to 69%, students of rural origin from 5% to 21% and those from independent high schools from 56% to 66%. The proportion of students from high schools with relative socio-educational disadvantage remained unchanged at approximately 10%. The changes reflect in part increasing numbers of female and independent high school applicants and the increasing rural quota. However, they were also associated with higher interview scores in females vs males and lower interview scores in those of NE and SE Asian origin compared to those born in Oceania or the UK. Total UMAT scores were unrelated to gender or region of origin.ConclusionsThe revised selection processes had no impact on student representation from schools with relative socio-educational disadvantage. However, the introduction of special entry quotas for students of rural origin and a structured interview, but not an aptitude test, were associated with a change in gender balance and ethnicity of students in an Australian undergraduate MBBS course.

Access and Selection

“…59 Other exemplars exist in the United States, Australia, and Nepal. [60][61][62][63] In particular, one Australian report has demonstrated that targeting rural students and focusing more on noncognitive characteristics positively affected both the gender distribution and ethnic diversity of cohorts. 61 Despite these examples, some medical educators question the degree to which systematic progress on diversity is occurring and note a conflict in medical schools and the minds of admissions committee members between "admitting for excellence" and admitting for "diversity."…”

“…[60][61][62][63] In particular, one Australian report has demonstrated that targeting rural students and focusing more on noncognitive characteristics positively affected both the gender distribution and ethnic diversity of cohorts. 61 Despite these examples, some medical educators question the degree to which systematic progress on diversity is occurring and note a conflict in medical schools and the minds of admissions committee members between "admitting for excellence" and admitting for "diversity." 64 They illustrate how Canadian medical education leaders may work against progress toward greater diversity through a tendency to repeatedly revisit and deliberate over issues (sometimes without minority representation), thereby "rediscovering" imbalances that have in fact existed since the Flexner Report.…”

Repensando la selección de la carrera de Medicina desde los factores que inciden en la formación

“…La evaluación de estos aspectos reporta la utilización de pruebas estandarizadas para la evaluación de la inteligencia emocional 12 y la personalidad 12,17 , además de otro tipo de evaluaciones como la exposición a situaciones interpersonales tras las cuales el evaluado debe enjuiciar la situación desplegando sus destrezas para discriminar adecuadamente la situación presentada 13 y entrevistas de admisión 13,39 .…”

“…Hasta aquí, la discusión de antecedentes presentados se ha centrado en las características del estudiante, sin embargo, la literatura evidencia la emergencia de otros aspectos que deben considerarse como: los antecedentes de los miembros del comité de admisión, puesto que son ellos quienes pueden influir en el proceso de selección, deliberación, votación y toma de decisión final de la admisión de un postulante 12 , lo cual podría eventualmente ejercer influencias indirectas en favor de ciertos grupos culturales, sociales o étnicos en favor de otros 33,39 . Por otra parte, se debe tener en cuenta la eficacia de las políticas de admisión, los procesos y criterios en los cuales descansa dicho proceso.…”

Impact of a recruitment campaign on students’ applications o medical school

“…In Australia, the percentage of medical students from rural regions has more than doubled as a result of national policies and initiatives (7). Another Australian study proved that the revision of selection criteria can significantly influence gender balance and student ethnicity (9).…”