Fifty Years of Findings from the Jefferson Longitudinal Study of Medical Education

The Jefferson Longitudinal Study (JLS) is a comprehensive longitudinal study of medical students and graduates maintained in a single medical school. It was initiated in 1970 and has resulted in numerous publications in professional peer-reviewed journals and presentations in national and international meetings. This book presents a collection of 207 abstracts of major publications from peer-reviewed journals, books, and book chapters in which data and information from the JLS were used, categorized into categories such as admissions, demographic composition, performance evaluations, postgraduate and career, psychosocial attributes, and professionalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 257 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive and groundbreaking book presents a compilation of research findings amassed over a span of half a century from the Jefferson Longitudinal Study (JLS). Initiated in 1970, the JLS stands as the most extensive and uninterrupted longitudinal study of medical students and graduates maintained within a single medical school. The study was founded upon the belief that medical schools possess a social responsibility and ethical obligation to oversee the quality of their educational programs, evaluate their educational outcomes, and ensure that their educational goals are met for the sake of public safety.

The JLS has yielded a substantial body of work, with numerous publications in esteemed peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences. Several medical schools have expressed interest in learning more about the JLS, seeking copies of the instruments used in the study, information on how to establish a longitudinal study of medical education, and other necessary resources. In response to a request from Academic Medicine [2011, 86(3), p. 404], the authors prepared and published a schematic snapshot of the JLS in that journal, aimed at those interested in developing a model for conducting a longitudinal study of medical students and graduates.

The JLS is widely recognized within the medical education research community. A recent Google search using keywords "Jefferson Longitudinal Study" yielded 1,550,000 hits, indicating its widespread popularity among researchers. Currently, the JLS database encompasses academic information, assessments, and educational and career outcomes for 13,343 medical students and graduates of Sidney Kimmel (formerly Jefferson) Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. The JLS analytic database currently contains 502 variables.

This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, educators, and policymakers in the field of medical education. It provides a thorough examination of the JLS's history, methodology, and findings, offering insights into the evolution of medical education and the impact of various factors on the career trajectories of medical students and graduates. The book also highlights the significance of longitudinal studies in understanding the educational process and informing evidence-based policy decisions.

In conclusion, the Jefferson Longitudinal Study (JLS) is a landmark research endeavor that has contributed significantly to our understanding of medical education. This book provides a comprehensive and accessible account of the JLS's findings, offering valuable insights into the field and inspiring future research. Its significance lies in its ability to shed light on the educational journey of medical students and graduates, inform policy decisions, and contribute to the improvement of medical education.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030853815
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022