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. 2024 Oct 23;38(2):87-91.
doi: 10.7899/JCE-23-12.

Online vs in-person delivery of preclinical coursework: A retrospective cohort study evaluating National Board of Chiropractic Examiners performance

Brian R Anderson, Dustin C Derby, Robert E Percuoco

Online vs in-person delivery of preclinical coursework: A retrospective cohort study evaluating National Board of Chiropractic Examiners performance

Brian R Anderson et al. J Chiropr Educ. .

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between basic science curriculum delivery method with other academic and demographic factors on National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) part I pass rates.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of students from 3 campuses of 1 chiropractic institution who matriculated in 2018 or 2020. COVID-19 regulations required online delivery of a basic science curriculum for students in the 2020 cohorts, whereas students in the 2018 cohorts experienced a traditional classroom delivery. A general linear model estimated odds ratios for passing NBCE part I, comparing individual online cohorts with the combined classroom cohort while adjusting for academic and demographic variables.

Results: A total of 968 students were included, 55% from the classroom cohort. The spring 2020 cohort had the fewest students with bachelors' degrees (59%) and more students with high in-program grade point averages (GPA; 61%) along with the lowest estimated odds ratio [0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.87)] for passing vs the classroom cohort. The fall 2020 cohort had significantly higher odds [1.06 (95% CI: 1.00-1.03)] of passing vs the classroom cohort. Additional predictors included main campus matriculation, white ethnicity, bachelors' degree, no alternative admission status, and in-program GPA. Students with high in-program GPA (vs low) had a 36% increased odds of passing.

Conclusion: Compared to the classroom cohort, the spring 2020 cohort had the lowest odds while the fall 2020 cohort had the highest odds of passing part I. In-program GPA had the highest association with passing. These results provide information on how curriculum delivery impacts board exam performance.

Keywords: COVID-19; Chiropractic; Distance; Education; Educational Measurement.

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Conflict of interest statement

FUNDING SOURCES AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST There are no funding sources or conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Adjusted mean pass rates among COVID online cohorts. Fa, fall; Sp, spring; Su, summer.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Trends in board exam pass rates among 5 healthcare-related academic programs (2019 vs 2022). NAPLEX, North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam; NBCE, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; NCLEX, National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses; NPTE, National Physical Therapy Exam; USMLE, United States Medical Licensing Exam.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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