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| Authors | Cynthia Farrugia Jones J M Cacciottolo |
| Abstract | Background: The year 2004 marked a change in the structure of the clinical part of the final examination in Medicine from the traditional format to Direct Observation Clinical Encounter Examination (DOCEE). The written part of the examination together with the objective clinical assessment allows the evaluation of different skills. Objectives: To evaluate the performance by gender in the overall examination and then separately in each part i.e. the MCQ paper, short answer questions paper, paediatrics, the clinical stations A, B and C, the knowledge assessment stations D (diagnostic) and E (emergency) and the communication station F (history taking) to identify any possible differences. Design: Final year examination results in medicine obtained over a two year period (2005-2006) were retrieved from datasets held by the Department of Medicine. The results of 111 graduates (males n=57) were analysed for all components of the examination. Results: In 2005, a total of 62 candidates (females n=34) took the examination; the highest grade was B+ with an overall mark of 78% and the lowest grade was D+ with an overall mark of 51%. There were 4 failures. In 2006, a total of 49 candidates (males n= 29) took the examination; the highest grade was A with distinction and an overall mark of 82% and the lowest was again D+ with a final mark of 51%. There were 5 failures. Overall females were found to have performed better than their male counterparts where median overall mark was equal for the two groups but the mean was higher in the female group with smaller standard deviation and variance. Females were more likely to get better grading and less likely to fail (two tailed t-test P=0.17). Gender difference in performance was more marked in the clinical stations A, B and C (two-tailed t-test P=0.29) Conclusion: There is a clear disparity in gender perormance and further studies are needed to identify possible causes for this in preparation and in gender characteristics |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | failure rate, final MD, gender |