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Background and objectives:Exams at the Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) are usually constructed to match King Abdulaziz University (KAU) policy of a fixed 60% cutoff score, though they have never been tested or evaluated. The purpose of this study was to validate the cutoff scores of three final fifth-year written exams of the undergraduate Endodontic course to assess whether they were similar to KAU regulation using the Angoff rating method. Design and settings:This study was conducted between May 2014 and February 2015 at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University. Methods: Using the Angoff rating method, three final fifth-year undergraduate Endodontic written exams were evaluated by four senior faculty members. Results: The cutoff scores for exams 1, 2 and 3 were 57.4%, 62.9% and 63.1%, respectively. Adjusting the exams’ cut off scores would cause changes in some students’ results. Conclusions: Although the cutoff scores for all exams were close to 60%, slight deviation from the accepted cutoff score could definitely affect the students’ results. Therefore, all exams should be validated before being given to students to certify that the cutoff score is credible and defensible. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim:This study aimed to evaluate fifth-year medical students' perception of their learning experience during pediatric rotation at the medical college of King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Method:This cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to fifth-year students who attended the pediatric rotation at KAU, during 2013–2014. Results:Three hundred fifty-six out of 360 students agreed to participate, representing a response rate of 99%. More than 90% were satisfied with the module, and 80% reported the usefulness of the orientation session. The mean scores for the usefulness of morning experience and afternoon activities were 7.20 ± 2.40 and 6.40 ± 2.70, respectively. A significant difference in the mean scores for supervision was observed between the clerkship sites (p = .0001), with the highest score for consultants’ supervision (7.01 ± 2.90) and lowest for interns’ supervision (4.81 ± 3.30). Conclusions:Overall, although the program was satisfactory to the majority of participants, areas of concern were identified. Students reported more effective learning and development of clinical skills , during the morning rounds, when supervised by consultants and senior specialists, and in activities that involved examining patients, presenting cases, and participating in discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:To explore the potential, challenges and needs for internship research activities in achieving scholar outcomes among graduates. Methods:A qualitative general needs assessment and evaluation of an internship research program was conducted at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD), KSA, from December 2014 to February 2015 using focus groups and interviews. The participants included: administrates, faculty, and internship students. Data were transcribed and analyzed following the grounded theory. Results:The participants were two administrative personnel, 21 faculty members, and 16 internship students. Results were clustered around five main domains; curriculum design, faculty, students, administrative, and institutional domain. Reported potentials included: a multi-faceted educational intervention approach, and building evidence-based skills and inquiry minds among graduates. Time, load, and incentives were major challenges reported by faculty. Interesting and achievable research topics were major challenges reported by students. Areas that needed development included: equipped research personnel, aligned administrative and institutional support, faculty skills, students’ knowledge and skills, aligned curriculum, and clear program goals, objectives, and outcomes. Conclusion:Curriculum design, faculty and students’ skills; as well as administrative and institutional support were found to play major roles in the success of the current internship research program at KAUFD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]