Widening access to medical school - a prescription for changing the socio-economic base of applicants and entrants

Osborne, M. , Stephen, C. and Lumsden, M. (2003) Widening access to medical school - a prescription for changing the socio-economic base of applicants and entrants. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 5(1), pp. 10-17.

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/journal/

Abstract

Despite the emphasis on widening participation in higher education in Scotland, the pattern of recruitment to undergraduate medical and dentistry education is still skewed heavily to those from higher socio-economic classes. In this preliminary account we report on ways in which selection for Medicine could become more equitable. A set of procedures based on psychometric testing (initially developed in Australia) is to be applied for the first time to young people at an early stage of their schooling. The tests are to be used as an aid to identifying those who may have the potential to enter medical training, but might not have considered this option. This identification would occur at a time that would allow them to make appropriate subsequent study choices at school so that their decision may be realisable and appropriate support for this trajectory of development may be put in place. In this paper the rationale for undertaking this study, the approach to be taken and the potential hazards of entering into such a development are discussed. This paper describes only first steps in a process whose success cannot be appraised until many years into the future, when it will be measured by not only a changing applicant and admission profile, but by the success of these entrants in the professions.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Osborne, Professor Michael
Authors: Osborne, M., Stephen, C., and Lumsden, M.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Social Justice Place and Lifelong Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
Journal Name:Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning
Publisher:Institute for Access Studies, Staffordshire University
ISSN:1466-6529
ISSN (Online):2045-2713
Published Online:25 May 2010

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record