A study regarding student satisfaction on medical graduate license examinations and career guiding sessions around the globe including the NEXT (National Exit Test) exam of India using qualitative and quantitative methods in a medical college of North

Abstract

Context:The National Medical Commission of India in the year 2019 recommended the National level licenses exam

for medical graduates. Around the world similar exams are getting conducted. The students are usually aware of

foreign license exams and their typology.

Aim:1. To assess student satisfaction after the career counselling session on medical license exams conducted

across the globe.

1. 2. To study the Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions of students regarding the NEXT exam and USMLE (for USA).

Settings and Design:This mixed method study was conducted in a medical college of North Maharashtra.

Methods and Material:The Qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions. Total 35 participants

were present in the 5 focus groups. In the cross sectional survey randomly 164 MBBS students were enrolled.

Statistical analysis used:Descriptive analysis and Chi-square test was used. Content analysis was done for

qualitative data.

Results:Lack of knowledge about the legalities, residency rotations, internship rotations for license exams poses a

challenge to students. 44.6% participants think that a competency based medical education pattern will be enough

to appear for the exam. A significant difference was obtained for NEXT exam difficulty level when compared with

foreign medical license exams. (P <0.001, ?² = 24.2, df= 4). A significant difference was also noted when NEXT exam

Marks distribution was compared with the NEXT exam pattern. (P <0.001, ?² = 65.0, df= 4).

Conclusions:The career guiding sessions on license exams including NEXT should be regularly conducted by Health

Universities.