Medical Schools Outcomes Database (MSOD) and Longitudinal Tracking Project.

As you may be aware, there is a shortage of doctors in Australia and, increasingly, worldwide.  In 2004, the Commonwealth funded the University Departments of Rural Health, the Rural Clinical School Program as well as the Rural Bonded Scholars and Bonded places in order to try to address some of the workforce shortage and distribution issues.  However, little is known about the impact of these initiatives, nor the factors which influence eventual career patterns of medical graduates in Australia.

Through Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand, the 19 Medical Schools in Australia have agreed on a minimum data set to be collected about medical students commencing a Medical program. This data collection project is known as the Medical Schools Outcomes Database (MSOD) and Longitudinal Tracking Project.

We encourage all medical students to participate in this important project, and have worked very hard to be sure the survey will be confidential and privacy will be protected. 

What is the Aim of the Project?

This will require the collection of very minimal personal demographic data and career aspirations.  The information will help in evaluating outcomes of medical education programs with specified workforce objectives (including rural and areas of workforce need), assisting in medical workforce planning, and providing a national research resource.

What are students asked to do?

All commencing medical student at the University of Adelaide, will be asked to participation in this project. They will be asked to spend approximately 15 minutes completing a ‘Commencing Medical Students Questionnaire’. Completed questionnaires will be stored in the secure national database.

In the final year of the Medical Program, students will again be approached to complete an ‘Exit Questionnaire’. The Exit Questionnaire includes some of the same questions on demographics and career intentions as in the Commencing Questionnaire and some additional questions on the name and postcode of the hospital for internship placements. An opportunity to comment on their medical school experiences will also be provided. 

Additional information collection.

Each year the Medical School will provide data to the project on participating students. This includes, their current enrolment status (e.g. enrolled, deferred, withdrawn), rural club membership (Yes/No) and the type, location and duration of placements and any electives undertaken.
Three short follow-up surveys will be conducted at 1, 3 and 5 years after completion of medical school, to record pre-vocational and vocational training experiences.
No information on grades or academic records will be collected.

What use will be made of the information?

The information collected will be used to report on numbers of medical students trained, the type and location of undergraduate and postgraduate training placements, and how these experiences influence eventual career destinations. These reports and publications may be prepared by Medical Deans, the Department of Health and Ageing, or other researchers who obtain the required ethical clearance.

Standardised summary reports of de-identified data will be made available to the stakeholders and participants via the Project website.

If the opportunity presents, aggregated data may be compared with aggregated data from similar studies from other countries.
Over time, many consecutive cohorts of students will be followed through their post-graduate training and into practice.

Is there anything else that will be asked for?

The Medical Schools Outcomes Database (MSOD) and Longitudinal Tracking Project offers an excellent opportunity for the Medical School to evaluate the medical curricula and undertake medical education research in association with the Project. From time to time students may be approached to undertake an associated sub study. It is important to note that any sub study conducted in association with the Project requires additional ethics approval and consent from the participant

Can Participants change their mind and withdraw from the Project?

Participation in this Project is entirely voluntary, there is no obligation for students to participate, and they can withdraw at any time. A withdrawal form is provided for this purpose. This can be obtained from the school or downloaded from the Medical Deans Project website (http://www.medicaldeans.org.au/msod.html).

We encourage all medical students to participate in this important project, and have worked very hard to be sure the survey will be confidential and privacy will be protected.  While students, trainees, and doctors in other countries participate in such tracking programs, Australia is the first country to do this on a national scale, so it is also a chance for us to be world leaders in this area. Hopefully, by the time current students become leaders in the community, in research, and in medical education, we will have some answers needed to ensure sound workforce planning and support for health care professionals.

If you would like further information about the project please do not hesitate to contact contact MSOD Database Project Office, mark.wittervan@adelaide.edu.au

The research project has been approved by the University of Adelaide Human Research Ethics Committee. Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of a research study can contact The Secretary of the Human Research Ethics Committee on 8303 6028 or by email: sabine.schreiber@adelaide.edu.au

Project Guidance.

This project is guided by the Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA), Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA), Australian Rural Health & Education Network (ARHEN), Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC), Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators (FRAME), National Rural Health Network (NRHN), National Health Workforce Secretariat (NHWS) and Rural Undergraduate Support & Coordination (RUSC), and funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA).

Further information about the study is available from: