Many Aspiring Doctors Repeatedly Fail Competency Exams, Expert Urges Stricter Evaluation of Medical Faculties

Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Director of the Postgraduate Programme at YARSI University, stated that the many medical students who have repeatedly failed to pass the Medical Profession Programme Student Competency Examination (UKMPPD) need to be handled properly and wisely. “Several points already discussed include, if retaking the exam, only the topics failed would be tested, and also the issue of fees that must be paid while waiting for the competency exam even though they are no longer studying, as well as a sort of guidance that can be provided to improve abilities and so on, all of which is done without lowering the quality standards of medical graduates for our people,” said Prof Tjandra when contacted on Wednesday.

Consequently, a stricter evaluation needs to be carried out on medical faculties with a high rate of UKMPPD failures. The evaluation can be conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, as well as the accreditation bodies that have been periodically accrediting medical faculties, and other relevant parties. Furthermore, to resolve the existing problem, which has been occurring for quite some time without a clear resolution, coordination should be promptly established between the relevant ministries and other stakeholders. “The coordination would be better if given a clear target, both in terms of the material targets to be resolved and the timeframe for when it will be completed; it must not drag on,” he said.

Tjandra stressed that the work of a doctor requires high quality, as it directly relates to human life. Therefore, the quality of medical graduates must be absolutely guaranteed, with a well-assured medical education process, including passing the various required examinations.