Cross-institutional progress testing: feasibility and value to a new medical school

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the feasibility of using a progress test to compare the rate of knowledge acquisition among students at a new medical school with that of students at a comparable but long-established school. As part of an ongoing strategy, we administered the McMaster Personal Progress Index (PPI) on four occasions to the first two cohorts of students enrolled in the graduate-entry medical programme at the University of Limerick. We compared mean PPI scores for students at comparable stages in their courses at both schools. To date, the rate of knowledge acquisition is similar in students at both schools. Inter-institutional and international collaboration in progress testing is feasible and provides a useful quality assurance tool which can be used by new schools to reassure students, faculty members and accrediting bodies.