Effect of Early Clinical Experiences on Pre-Medical Students’ Self-Efficacy in Learning and Motivation to Transfer

To provide early clinical experience (ECE) to pre-medical students who have not studied clinical medicine, Ulsan Medical School established the First Steps to Healing (FSH) course.This study aimed to explore the positive effects of the FSH course by analyzing the impact on students' self-efficacy in learning and motivation to transfer.This study was based on 35 second-year pre-medical students who completed pre-and post-surveys in a four-week FSH course during the second semester 2023.A paired t-test was conducted to determine the difference between the student's self-efficacy in learning and motivation to transfer before and after completing the FSH course.The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0.Students reported significantly higher levels of self-efficacy and motivation to transfer after completing the FSH course than before.From these results, ECE is an important pedagogical approach to increase self-efficacy and motivation to transfer.During the pre-medical years, developing the confidence to use new learning and the willingness and desire to apply and implement knowledge in clinical practice is important.This study suggests that opportunities should be expanded and programmes should be developed at different times to provide students with ECE.