Recent research suggests medical students may have inadequate knowledge of pharmacology, according to a study published in the Journal of Patient Safety.
For their study, researchers assessed 455 second-year medical school students for their pharmacology knowledge and perceptions on the pharmacology course. In addition, they asked 26 pharmacology professors to evaluate themselves on their teachings.
Results showed that the students' pharmacology exam scores ranged from 54.5 percent to 90 percent, with an average score of 77.3 percent. Only 16 percent of the students scored 90 percent or higher on the pharmacology exam. Despite this, students' and professors' evaluations of the pharmacology course were high (90 percent and 96.2 percent, respectively). The researchers suggested use of "more demanding measures" to assess teaching effectiveness.
For their study, researchers assessed 455 second-year medical school students for their pharmacology knowledge and perceptions on the pharmacology course. In addition, they asked 26 pharmacology professors to evaluate themselves on their teachings.
Results showed that the students' pharmacology exam scores ranged from 54.5 percent to 90 percent, with an average score of 77.3 percent. Only 16 percent of the students scored 90 percent or higher on the pharmacology exam. Despite this, students' and professors' evaluations of the pharmacology course were high (90 percent and 96.2 percent, respectively). The researchers suggested use of "more demanding measures" to assess teaching effectiveness.
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