Table 6 Topics mentioned in the open-ended questions, its proportion and examples of answers obtained
From: Electives in the medical curriculum – an opportunity to achieve students’ satisfaction?
Category | Topic | Topic Name | Occurrence | Most relevant answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Assessment | 1 | Adequate Assessment | 3 (3.3%) | |
2 | Inadequate Assessment | 25 (27.5%) | “The evaluation is subjective, it would be important to understand the criteria and objectives needed to accomplish to obtain the highest grade.” (id 24) | |
Organization of the Elective | 3 | Typology of classes Adequate | 3 (3.3%) | “Adaptation of classes to the learning needs.” (id 21) |
4 | Typology of classes Inadequate | 11 (12.1%) | “Our self-reflexion shouldn’t be criticized.” (id 94) “More practice is needed.” (id 109) “There could have been group work to further develop topics applicable to Medicine.” (id 124) | |
5 | Weak organization | 11 (12.1%) | “The only problem to point was the fact that in the first classes much time was spent recalling basic concepts. I was expecting more innovation and less repetition.” (id 94) | |
Contents | 6 | Background knowledge insufficient | 5 (5.5%) | “The elective approaches subjects very complex and of hard comprehension for those who have less base knowledge of the theme.” (id 68) |
7 | Useful/Relevant | 8 (8.8%) | “Extreme relevance of the subjects approached.” (id 21) “With crucial components, this is an elective that should be part of the medical curriculum as core curricular unit.” (id 194) | |
8 | Innovative | 22 (24.2%) | “Approaches one perspective less studied of Medicine.” (id 47) “Acquirement of scientific knowledge little addressed in the course.” (id 80) “The elective includes subjects very interesting that aren’t approached in the core unit of Morfophysiology of the Nervous System.” (id 114) “Allows for unique experiences and competences that wouldn’t otherwise be acquired during the course.” (id 181) | |
9 | Interesting | 25 (27.5%) | “Lots of classes with people from different fields of knowledge, approaching a lot of topics and allowing for students to focus on special areas of interest.” (id 223) | |
10 | Low interest | 4 (4.4%) | ||
11 | Excess of contents/ Workload inadequate | 12 (13.2%) | “The contents are a little bit complex. I think that approaching fewer topics and with more depth a set of essential ones would be worthy and beneficial.” (id 227) | |
Working method of the Elective | 12 | Involvement of the teachers | 4 (4.4%) | “One of the strengths is the involvement of the teachers and the interest of the contents teached.” (id 216) |
13 | Involvement of the students | 9 (9.9%) | “The typology of classes allowed a lot of discussion between the teachers and the students.” (id 69) “Very enriching personally.” (id 163) “I loved this elective. It made me learn much more in practical terms than any other core curricular unit, besides making me feel realized.”(id 227) | |
14 | Soft Skills/Transversal Competences | 11 (12.1%) | “It is an unique experience and a very educational one for our future.” (id 114) “This elective was very important for my personal and academic path.” (id 115) “Very good elective, the levels of critic reflexion are essential for any doctor.” (id 124) | |
15 | Allocation Process | 3 (3.3%) | “Threat: low diversity of electives.” (id 83) “Allow students to repeat this elective when there aren’t enough openings.” (id 92) |