Title:	Data for the Improvement of Medical Education (DIME) Main longitudinal Cohort Study
Principal research question:	This project seeks to identify and understand those factors in undergraduate medical education which enhance the quality of patient care provided by students in their medical practice.
Background:	The need for this programme of research arises from interaction between a series of changes in health care, in the concept of a “good” doctor, in medical education and in general secondary education. The main concern of the research is concern for patient care, within this, the project hopes to provide : * greater understanding of students’ characteristics, attitudes and values and their relationship to subsequent patient care. * greater understanding of the impact of the relationship between student characteristics, attitudes and values, the course provided, assessment of performance and patient care. * better selection of students in the light of changes affecting application and admission to medical schools
Methodology description:	This project comprises a questionnaire survey of all students entering Cambridge to study medicine, on entry and at the beginning of each subsequent pre-clinical and clinical years.Factors examined using generic instruments include:Learning stylesAnxiety and depressionEmpathyDeath Anxiety and Attitudes towards End of Life CareBiographical details, experience of close personal death, previous and current academic performance.
Sample group description:	Approximately 450 students (300 pre-clinical and 150 clinical) in each annual cohort .
Outcome measure description:	Better understanding of the factors in undergraduate medical education likely to enhance the quality of patient care.
Project organisation
Start date:	1st September 2007
End date:	31st December 2020
Contact person:	Dr Thelma Quince
Contact Details:	Primary Care Research Unit Institute of Public Health University Forvie Site, Robinson Way Cambridge Cambs CB2 0SR UK Telephone: (01223) 330364 Fax: 01223 762515 E-mail: taq1000@medschl.cam.ac.uk
References and Publications