J Med Educ. 1986 Nov;61(11):872-7. doi: 10.1097/00001888-198611000-00002.

Preclinical curriculum characteristics and institutional performance on NBME. Part I.

Journal of medical education

R F Jones, M R Anderson, A G Swanson

PMID: 3772962 DOI: 10.1097/00001888-198611000-00002

Abstract

A study was conducted that analyzed the relationship between various characteristics of the preclinical curriculum and institutional performance on the Part I examination of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) at a sample of 85 U.S. medical schools. Total scheduled hours per week was the single curriculum characteristic having a positive and significant relationship with institutional NBME examination performance. However, when the data were controlled by medical school selectivity in admissions and institutional policy on the taking of the examination, total scheduled hours per week failed to make a significant contribution to the prediction of performance. The results were viewed as failing to provide support and justification for intense preclinical curriculum loads on the basis that this would enhance NBME examination performance. The authors conclude that simple comparisons of schools on the basis of mean NBME examination performance are meaningless unless the entering abilities of students and school policies on the examination are taken into account. The authors also suggest that those schools that prescribe heavy and intense preclinical curriculum loads should reexamine those policies in light of recommendations of the Project Panel on the General Professional Education of the Physician and College Preparation for Medicine.

MeSH terms

• Certification*
• College Admission Test
• Curriculum* / standards
• Education, Premedical* / standards
• Educational Measurement*
• Schools, Medical / standards
• United States

Publication Types

• Journal Article

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