Current status of international medical education in China: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to understand the current learning state, curriculum evaluation, and career planning of international Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students in China in order to support educators and policy makers in developing interventions to support international MBBS students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Fudan University from March 2017 to May 2018. A self-administered questionnaire regarding medical teaching and evaluation methods and recommendations was used to collect the data from international MBBS students ([Formula: see text]) and native Chinese medical students ([Formula: see text]) currently at the school as well as teachers directly involved in teaching activities with these students ([Formula: see text]). Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 6, and all results are presented as frequencies (percentages). Results: Most of the international MBBS students had never studied at a university before (76%). The first and second most common reasons for choosing the MBBS program were an interest in medical science (79%) and relieving patients’ sufferings and realizing self-value (61%). The learning motivation of international MBBS students came mainly from the interests in medicine (90%). A total of 74% of international MBBS students considered the course setting to be appropriate or neutral. The top biggest problem in clinical practice reported by international MBBS students was communication barriers caused by the lack of language proficiency. The first choice of future work after graduation for international MBBS students was studying or working abroad. The top two recommendations among teachers for improving academic achievement were providing textbooks in students’ native languages (64%) and reading more medical books (47%). Conclusions: International MBBS students generally thought that the course setting was rational, and were mostly satisfied with the international MBBS program. The use of textbooks in the international MBBS students’ native languages was reported to be helpful for improving these students’ academic achievements.