Medical Education Research Seminar - Dr Christian Gray
Hosted by the Academy for Medical Education, this Seminar Series provides an opportunity to hear about Medical Education Research conducted by staff and academic title holders associated with the University of Queensland Medical School and the MD Program.
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Title: Domains Within an International Clinical Science Program that Predict Success in United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1
Author and presenter: Dr Christian Gray
Academy of Medical Education, The University of Queensland Medical School, Brisbane, Australia
Introduction: USMLE Step exams were established to provide a uniform evaluation system for registration in the United States. In partnership with the University of Queensland, MD students from the Ochsner Health System (New Orleans, LA) complete their first two years (phase 1) in Australia, before finishing phase 2 in the USA. UQ Ochsner MD students must attempt Step 1 prior to starting phase 2. A dedicated USMLE preparation course was established to support student’s preparation for Step 1.
Aim: To evaluate discipline areas within Clinical Science which predict success in Step 1.
Methods: Longitudinal performances in Clinical Science (CS) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) in phase 1 of the MD program were correlated with National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Exam (CBSE) performance. MCQ were tagged based on discipline area.
Results / Discussion: Students have reported feeling disadvantaged in preparation for Step 1 believing that the UQ MD program does not provide adequate preparation as it was not specifically based on the USMLE curriculum. There is strong evidence however, that performance in clinical science across phase 1 strongly corelates with success in CBSE. Students who perform above average in the cohort were significantly more likely to pass the CBSE. The CBSE significantly correlates with performances in Step 1 and is used to assess students’ readiness to take the Step 1 exam within the program. Students who passed the CBSE showed a higher correlation in performances in Pathology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology discipline areas which are highly representative within the Step 1 exam.
Significance and conclusion: UQ MD students from the Ochsner Health System (New Orleans, LA) complete their first two years (phase 1) in Australia, before finishing phase 2 in the USA. These students must attempt Step 1 prior to starting phase 2. The UQ MD program supports a strong preparation for the Step 1 exam, with high correlations in performances within Step 1 discipline areas.