The students' view of an innovative undergraduate medical course: the first year at the University of Newcastle,N.S.W.†

An innovative medical course commenced in 1978 in a new medical school at the University of Newcastle. An evaluation of the student response to the first year of this course was carried out. This evaluation aimed to assess how far the students had progressed towards the attainment of the long-term Faculty objectives on which the Newcastle curriculum is based. Students' perceptions of educational innovations were obtained and compared with the Faculty's stated aims. Students felt that they could approach a problem scientifically, in a manner consistent with the Faculty's specified methods. In the area of team work, students had accepted the need for training in team skills as preparation for work after graduation. Students have adapted to the use of objectives, to assessment for competence, and to the marking of one another's papers. These methods had been introduced to facilitate the development of skills necessary for independent and continuing self-education. Patient contact was designated as the greatest strength of the first year. Students expressed concern for patient well-being and the influence of student activities on patients. This indicated that students had progressed some way towards the attainment of the Faculty objective that they should develop an humanitarian approach to patients.