EXAMINATION. Media is reporting that about 150 students at the University of Gothenburg during the current pandemic will gather today Friday, to write an exam in the university’s common examination halls. At the university, all examinations must be done digitally unless there are exceptional reasons not to. In this case, it is a major examination of a course that is central to the university’s medical school. The course lays the foundation for the clinical skills that medical students will develop during their remaining education.
The University of Gothenburg is working to contribute to a reduction of the spread of covid-19. This affects the whole organization and teaching and examination should be done digitally. A decision to derogate from this may be granted by the Prefect after consultation with the Dean if there are exceptional circumstances.
This is reflected in the number of places booked in the university’s writing rooms on Viktoriagatan, which in January decreased by 94% compared to the same month last year. However, in order to maintain the quality of education, certain elements must also take place on campus during the pandemic, and in some cases this includes examination in the university’s common examination halls.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have carefully and continuously adapted our activities to prevent the spread of infection and to follow current recommendations. But even during the pandemic, the quality of education must be maintained. It is important both for the individual student and for society in which they will work after graduation,” says Vice-chancellor Eva Wiberg.
Central part of medical education
In this particular case, the exam is for an extensive course in internal medicine, which is a central part of medical education. Among other things, students learn how to rapidly deal with serious and dangerous medical conditions such as cardiac arrest and unconsciousness. They are also trained in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The course in internal medicine is the single largest at medical school and takes place during semester six. The course management together with the department management therefore believes that a legally safe examination in the university’s common examination halls is critical as the course lays an important foundation for future doctors’ clinical knowledge and skills.
As disease-proof as possible
Based on the guidelines and advice that exist, the university has created an environment in the common examination halls that is as disease-proof as possible. Among other things, the number of writing places has been reduced, there is hand sanitizer available and the students are not allowed to gather in the foyer outside and they are guided one by one to different entrances and exits.
Of the 145 medical students, about 115 of them are sitting the exam in a hall that is just over 1,200 square meters, while the rest sit in a room that is 550 square meters. The halls have separate entrances, one from Viktoriagatan and the other from Karl Gustavsgatan.
“In a pandemic, no interactions with other people are completely risk-free and everyone must take a great personal responsibility to slow down the spread of infection. Those who feel symptoms should stay at home, and those who cannot sit the exam a certain date have the opportunity to sit the exam later,” says Vice-chancellor Eva Wiberg.
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