Obstetrics and gynecology final examination scores at university and community hospitals. A comparison

Abstract

Objective: To determine if there were differences in standard obstetrics and gynecology final examination scores for students whose clerkships were at either the university or one of five community hospitals.

Study design: All students taking their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship from July 1995 to June 1998 were included in the analysis. The clerkship was eight weeks in length. All sites had four weeks of obstetrics and four of gynecology. Six sites were utilized--five community and one university. University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) residents rotated to two of the community hospitals. Two of the remaining three hospitals had freestanding obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. Core lectures were provided for five of six sites at the university; one site gave its own series of similar topics. Comparisons were made with respect to obstetrics and gynecology final examination scores (National Board type). United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) scores were evaluated to determine whether a control with respect to test performance was needed. Only the first attempt for either examination was evaluated. Student's t test and one-way analysis of variance were used as indicated. Significance was set at P < .05.

Results: Five hundred twenty-two students were included in the analysis. There was no difference with respect to obstetrics and gynecology examination scores between the combined community and university hospitals. There were no significant differences between sites for obstetrics/gynecologic scores when evaluated using USMLE step I scores as a control. The presence of UIC residents and higher final examination scores was significant (3.6 points, P < .024). The presence of obstetrics and gynecology residents and higher final examination scores was also significant (2.5 points, P < .035).

Conclusion: The type of hospital (community vs. university) does not appear to affect obstetrics and gynecology final examination performance, but the presence of obstetrics and gynecology residents may positively affect student performance on final examinations, with a greater benefit noted in facilities with university-based residents.