Discourse of final-year medical students during clinical case presentations
Date
2011-06
Authors
Botha, H.
Van Schalkwyk, G. I.
Bezuidenhout, J.
Van Schalkwyk, S. C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
Abstract
Introduction: The need for medical students to adopt a discourse appropriate
to the field is repeatedly emphasised by teaching staff during
lectures and ward rounds. The acquisition of such discourse is
often not assessed, resulting in inconsistency between the levels used
among students of similar academic backgrounds.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which
appropriate discourse was adopted by 9 medical students early in
their final year during clinical case presentations, and to compare
this usage with the students’ final results.
Methods: Transcriptions of recorded case presentations by 9 students
were assessed by 2 experts and a peer evaluator, using a rubric which drew on prior research in medical discourse, and included the prominent
themes of terminology and thematic staging. These were then
compared with their academic results.
Results: Our findings show that most students are able to use the appropriate
terminology when they reach their final year of study. However,
our data also support the hypothesis that students with similar
academic backgrounds may display considerable variation in their
level of discourse. Although it appears as if the students were all beginning
to shift towards a more mature form of medical discourse,
the degree to which this occurs is sporadic. The apparent absence
of a relationship between discursive competencies and academic
achievement may suggest that the ability of assessment to encourage
the adoption of disciplinary discourse is perhaps not being optimally
applied, although further research is required.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.ajhpe.org.za/
Keywords
Medical students -- Rating of -- South Africa, Students -- Medical examinations -- Rating of, Medical students -- Ability testing, Medicine -- Terminology, Peer review
Citation
Botha, H., Van Schalkwyk, G. I. Bezuidenhout, J. & Van Schalkwyk, S. C. 2011. Discourse of final-year medical students during clinical case presentations. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 3(1):3-6.