Table 2 Mean scores for the Likert-scale statements by domain, arranged from highest to lowest mean score

Domain 1: Transition and Professional Socialization

Collaboration with other medical students on clinical placement/rotation was easy

A general introduction should be provided to all new medical students on clinical placement/rotation

A good introduction would make the transition easier

I enjoyed the first few weeks

My first clinical placement/rotation proved to be better than I expected

The clinical staff were easy to work with

The introduction into the clinical placement/rotation was satisfactory

I felt ready to begin clinical training

My uncertainty lasted only a few days

The transition from pre-clinical to clinical training went smoothly

I needed time to adjust to the new environment

I was nervous at the beginning of the clinical placement/rotation

I felt well prepared for clinical training

I experienced an abrupt transition from pre-clinical to clinical training

I experienced a great deal of stress

I was very uncertain at the beginning of the clinical placements

This was the first time I experienced what it is like to work as a doctor

The first few weeks on clinical placement/rotation were difficult for me

I have considered quitting medical school

Domain 2: Workload

There is a huge difference between my workload before and after the transition to clinical training

The workload of medical students on clinical placement/rotation is heavy

So far clinical placement/rotations have been tiring

I had difficulty getting used to the work routine

As a medical student on clinical placement/rotation I have to work very long hours

As a medical student on clinical placement/rotation I have enough time to study

Domain 3: Patient Contact

The knowledge that I acquire from contact with real patients is easier to retain

Contact with real patients is easy for me

Contact with real patients stimulates me to study

I would have liked real patient contact earlier in the curriculum

I think patients feel uncomfortable when they are examined by a student

My first contact with real patients was during the clinical placement/rotations

I feel uncomfortable when I examine a patient

I am afraid to start a conversation with a patient

Domain 4: Knowledge, knowledge application, and skills

I am able to do a full physical examination

I am able to take a history

I am able to do a physical examination

In clinical practice other aspects of knowledge are important than during pre-clinical training

I am able to apply my knowledge in practice

The knowledge required in clinical practice is different from my theoretical knowledge

I felt well prepared to perform medical technical skills

There are gaps in my knowledge

The knowledge I acquired during the pre-clinical phase is relevant for the clinical phase

I have sufficient clinical science knowledge

I feel confident about the findings from history and physical examination

I have sufficient behavioural science knowledge

When I do a history and physical examination, the findings are checked by clinical staff

I have sufficient basic science knowledge

I have the appropriate knowledge readily available

I felt well prepared for clinical skill performance

I felt well prepared with respect to communication skills

I was sufficiently prepared for the clinical placement/rotations as regards theoretical knowledge

The level of my knowledge is sufficient

I have difficulty recognising pathological symptoms

Domain 5: Learning and Education

Junior medical doctors are good teachers

Senior medical students are good teachers

I learned a lot from real patient tutorials

Real patient tutorials were good preparation for the clinical placement/rotation

In clinical practice I study in a different way

You can learn a lot from bedside teaching

The knowledge I acquire in clinical practice is easier to remember

Case based learning provided good preparation for clinical practice

I am able to study independently

I learned a lot from the tutorial meetings in which the simulated patient contacts were discussed

Volunteer simulated patient contacts were good preparation for contact with real patient

I need to study because I have forgotten a good deal of my theoretical knowledge

I learned a lot from simulated patient contacts

Senior medical doctors are good teachers

I study in a different way in clinical practice than during my first years in medical school

You can learn a lot from the handover of patients

I study more intensively than before the clinical placement/rotations

I study to learn the things that I want to know

It is easy for me to obtain experiences from which I can learn

What I study is influenced by the assessment program

I study primarily for tests and examinations

The first years in medical school were relevant for clinical practice

My learning is driven by questions from clinical staff

What I study depends on the problems I have encountered that day

I am able to judge my own progress

Additional Items

My first semester of clinical work reassured me that I had made the right choice of vocation/career

I enjoy studying in a group setting