Assessment of an undergraduate psychiatry course in Malawi
Author Information
Author(s): Baig Benjamin J, Beaglehole Anna, Stewart Robert C, Boeing Leonie, Blackwood Douglas H, Leuvennink Johan, Kauye Felix
Primary Institution: Scotland-Malawi Mental Health Education Project, University of Malawi
Hypothesis
The course could bring students to a level of knowledge approaching the standard that courses would attain in the UK.
Conclusion
The support of an undergraduate course in an African setting by high income country specialists can attain a high percentage pass rate by UK standards.
Supporting Evidence
- Malawi students scored between 52.4% and 84.6% on their exam.
- 84.4% of Malawi students scored above 60%, which is a passing mark by UK standards.
- Edinburgh students had no significant difference in marks between the Malawi exam and their own Edinburgh exam.
Takeaway
Students in Malawi can learn psychiatry well enough to pass exams at the same level as students in the UK, even with less teaching time.
Methodology
The study involved delivering a psychiatry course and an MCQ exam to medical students in Malawi and Edinburgh, comparing their performances.
Potential Biases
Differences in educational backgrounds and exam conditions between the two groups may affect results.
Limitations
The study does not suggest that teaching of clinical knowledge and clinical ability are of equivalent standard.
Participant Demographics
57 Malawi medical students (15 female, 42 male) and 71 Edinburgh medical students.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.65
Statistical Significance
p = 0.65
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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