Predicting PHC Students' First Year Performance at University

With increasing demand for pre hospital care university places and problems of unsatisfactory student progression and retention, a rural university embarked on a study to identify predictors of first year PHC students. A preliminary study (1998-2001) identified six potential indicators of academic performance in 135 on-campus, PHC students. The study found that a UAI 50, previous health related experience, post secondary educational qualifications, background, student entry type & gender were all found to be significant predictors of academic performance in selective chorts. A follow up study (2002-2005) which examined 351 first year PHC students had similar findings. However, urban students outperformed rural students. Mature entry students achieved higher GPAs than traditional entry students in semester 1 and the year overall. A new cohort of students, Double Degree students (PHC / Nursing) were also examined. The study found that double degrees were more likely to pass all required subjects in the year than single degree students. Single degree & double degree students achieved almost identical whole of year GPA scores.

Autorentext

Veronica is a Senior Lecturer in Pre Hospital Care and Course Co ordinator in the School of Biomedical Sciences at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia. Veronica's areas of expertise involve PHC emergency medicine, learning how to become a clinical detective and the overlap between human and veterinary medicine.