Establishing and Operating Cohort Evaluation at Kosin University College of Medicine

Multiple cohorts (e.g., current students and graduates) were formed to collect information on the entire educational process from admission to graduation regarding students’ educational performances at Kosin University College of Medicine. Data that had already been collected and analyzed by different committees for different purposes were grouped into a more systematic and comprehensive system called the cohort system, enabling the necessary data to be collected promptly and analyzed in accordance with the purpose of providing meaningful information in each area of the educational process. Therefore, comprehensive cohort data that can be used for mission statement revision, curriculum development and improvement, student counseling, and student selection were established and utilized. The cohort data were collected from performance evaluation indicators including self-evaluation surveys, evaluation tools for learning outcomes, academic achievement, results of the Korean Medical Licensing Examination, and career placement. Based on the results obtained by analyzing cohort data, a comprehensive cohort report has been published. The data analyzed through the cohort were reported to each committee and used in various ways. Currently, however, only some data have been analyzed and used. In the future, after complete data collection, the cohort data can be used as meaningful basic data for achieving the institution’s mission and educational goals, developing and improving the curriculum, counseling students, and selecting students through the analysis of learning performance data from student admission to graduation and after graduation.