Summary:
An evaluation study was undertaken to compare data of students in two medical curriculum tracks at the Universily of Brasilia. Pre-clinical motivacional characterislics and learning outcomes were compared. Some significant differences were observed: students in the standing curriculum showed higher level of self confidence while motivation to learn was higher among students in the new curriculum. Also, the scores of perceived meaningfulness of learning were higher in the new curriculum. There were no significant differences between student groups in grade point averages of clinical clerkships or in career preferences. The finings suggest that the change in curriculum structure has not affected students applied knowledge as they started the clinical phase, although they showed more positive perceptions of their pre-clinical experience. Such perceptions were influenced by many motivational characteristics.
Key-Words:
Medical Education; Curriculum Change; Program Evaluation