Purpose: To determine if preparatory experience and confidence prior to OB/Gyn residency differs between allopathic and osteopathic students.
Background: Osteopathic and allopathic students apply to OB/Gyn residency through a unified application process and match. However, their educational experiences prior to residency may differ.
Methods: Before a novel residency preparatory curriculum, MS4s were surveyed about their OB/Gyn clerkship and subinternship, boot camp access, clinical experiences, and confidence in various domains. Chi square and student t-test evaluated associations of degree with experiences, knowledge, or confidence.
Results: 873 allopathic students (80.2% of matched MD applicants) and 177 osteopathic students (78.7% of matched DO applicants) participated. Allopathic students reported longer clerkships (6 weeks or greater, MD 78.0% vs DO 15.3%, p < 0.001), more access to home institution sub-internships (92.0% vs 53.1%, p < 0.001) and greater access to boot camps (57.9% vs 17.0%, p < 0.001). The groups performed similarly on a pre-test (MD average 62.2%, DO average 64.7%, p = 0.36).
Osteopathic students were more likely to be in the top quartile for reported hysterectomy (p < 0.001) and delivery experiences (p = 0.004), but not suture opportunities (p = 0.74). Allopathic students regarded their medical school preparation more highly (p < 0.001). Confidence in knowledge, technical skills, or realistic sense of residency did not differ.
Discussions: Osteopathic students have shorter clerkships and less access to boot camps and subinternships, but more clinical experiences than allopathic students. However, osteopathic students rate their medical school preparation less satisfactorily despite similar knowledge scores.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2022, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Osteopathic Faculty, Residency Director, Residency Coordinator, Medical Knowledge, GME, UME, Independent Study, General Ob-Gyn,
Sarah Santiago, MD, University of Michigan; Elizabeth Southworth, MD; Fei Cai, MD; Emily Fay, MD; Alyssa Stephenson-Famy, MD; R. Nicholas Burns, MD