Biomaterial Database

An evaluation of the multiple mini-interview as a selection tool for dental students. 2012

R McAndrew, and J Ellis

University of Cardiff, Applied Dental Research and Public Health, Dental Hospital, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY. mcandrew@cf.ac.uk

OBJECTIVE This research evaluated the mutliple mini-interview (MMI) process as part of the admissions procedure for a dental school. METHODS The thematic analysis of a paper-based questionnaire. METHODS Following screening an MMI was arranged for 190 candidates applying to study dentistry with written feedback obtained from candidates and interviewers. RESULTS A 100% response rate to the paper-based questionnaire was achieved for candidates and a 90% response rate was obtained from interviewers. With specific reference to how candidates perceived their performance, 127 (67.9%) felt they had performed well with 24 (19.3%) unsure and 36 (12.8%) saying their performance was not ideal. Candidates generally thought that they had prepared as well as they could have done for the MMIs and 146 (77.2%) thought that they had done enough at interview to merit being offered a place to study dentistry. The MMI experience was considered favourable and from 137 written comments received by candidates 39 were most positive with reference to the MMIs. A thematic analysis of the comments identified a number of emergent themes including lack of control, anxiety and nervousness, preparedness and comparisons with conventional interviews. CONCLUSIONS The MMI appears to be useful in the selection of dental students.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007407	Interviews as Topic	Works about conversations with an individual or individuals held in order to obtain information about their background and other personal biographical data, their attitudes and opinions, etc. It includes works about school admission or job interviews.	Group Interviews,Interviewers,Interviews, Telephone,Oral History as Topic,Group Interview,Interview, Group,Interview, Telephone,Interviewer,Interviews, Group,Telephone Interview,Telephone Interviews
D008297	Male		Males
D011795	Surveys and Questionnaires	Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions.	Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D005260	Female		Females
D006113	United Kingdom	Country in northwestern Europe including Great Britain and the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland, located between the North Sea and north Atlantic Ocean. The capital is London.	Great Britain,Isle of Man
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012570	School Admission Criteria	Requirements for the selection of students for admission to academic institutions.	Student Selection,Admission Criteria, School,Criteria, School Admission,Selection, Student,Selections, Student,Student Selections
D012575	Schools, Dental	Educational institutions for individuals specializing in the field of dentistry.	Dental Schools,Dental School,School, Dental
D013335	Students, Dental	Individuals enrolled a school of dentistry or a formal educational program in leading to a degree in dentistry.	Dental Student,Dental Students,Student, Dental