Impact of the foundations of clinical medicine course on USMLE scores.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The synthesis of basic and clinical science knowledge during the clerkship years has failed to meet educational expectations.

Objectives

We hypothesized that a small-group course emphasizing the basic science underpinnings of disease, Foundations of Clinical Medicine (FCM), could be integrated into third year clerkships and would not negatively impact the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) step 2 scores.

Design

In 2001-2002, all third year students met weekly in groups of 8-12 clustered within clerkships to discuss the clinical and basic science aspects of prescribed, discipline-specific cases.

Participants

Students completing USMLE step 2 between 1999 and 2004 (n = 743).

Measurements

Course evaluations were compared with the

SUBMITTER: Brownfield EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2517913 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature