The impact of a peer-designed and -led USMLE Step 1 review course: improvement in preparation and scores

Abstract

Background: Medical students use several strategies for United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 preparation. At Ohio State University College of Medicine, a yearlong, peer-designed and -led Step 1 review course is a new option for our second-year students. This study aims to ascertain the value of the peer-designed and -led Step 1 review course, to assess the difference in Step 1 scores between participants and nonparticipants, and to understand the course's role in improving preparation for Step 1 among participants.

Method: Eligible students completed a confidential survey. Scores between participants and nonparticipants were compared, controlling for preexisting differences between groups.

Results: Course participants had a higher average Step 1 score than nonparticipants (P = .005). The majority of participants felt the course was a valuable use of time and would recommend it to future students.

Conclusions: A Step 1 review course designed and led by near-peer senior medical students, those who had successfully completed the USMLE Step 1 exam within the previous year, was shown to be valuable to second-year medical students and improved Step 1 score outcomes.