Impact of Shortened Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship on Medical Student Grades, Shelf Scores, and Satisfaction

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine if shortening the length of an obstetrics and gynecology clerkship impacts medical student grades, shelf scores, and satisfaction with the clerkship. BACKGROUND: The obstetrics and gynecology clerkship at the University of Minnesota was shortened from 6 to 4 weeks to allow third year medical students to complete all required clerkships. Studies examining clerkships decreased from 8 to 6 weeks suggest a decline in student shelf scores. There are no studies to date evaluating the impact a 4 week clerkship has on student grades, shelf scores or student satisfaction. METHODS: Two-sample t-tests were performed to evaluate the difference in Clerkship grades and shelf exam scores between the 6 and 4 week clerkships. Chi-square tests were completed to test association between satisfaction survey responses and clerkship length. RESULTS: There were significant differences in mean clerkship grades and shelf scores (p<0.01, p0.02), and mean satisfaction scores (p<0.01) between students completing 6 versus 4 week clerkships. The difference in mean satisfaction scores between 6 and 4 week clerkships included satisfaction of learning environment, organization, educational value, teaching, feedback, experience as team member, balance of supervision versus autonomy and recommending the clerkships to others. DISCUSSION: Shortening the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship had a significant negative impact on student performance and satisfaction. This along with the low national rating of obstetrics and gynecology clerkships compared to other specialties may affect how students perceive women’s health as a specialty and recruitment to residency programs. Further studies examining this question are underway.