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Perspectives on Medical Education
Published in: Perspectives on Medical Education 5/2019

Open Access 01-10-2019 | Original Article

Early identification of struggling learners: using prematriculation and early academic performance data

Authors: Layne D. Bennion, Dario Torre, Steven J. Durning, David Mears, Deanna Schreiber-Gregory, Jessica T Servey, David F. Cruess, Michelle Yoon, Ting Dong

Published in: Perspectives on Medical Education | Issue 5/2019

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Abstract

Introduction

A perennial difficultly for remediation programmes in medical school is early identification of struggling learners so that resources and assistance can be applied as quickly as is practical. Our study investigated if early academic performance has predictive validity above and beyond pre-matriculation variables.

Methods

Using three cohorts of medical students, we used logistic regression modelling and negative binomial regression modelling to assess the strength of the relationships between measures of early academic performance and outcomes—later referral to the academic review and performance committee and total module score.

Results

We found performance on National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) exams at approximately 5 months into the pre-clerkship curriculum was predictive of any referral as well as the total number of referrals to an academic review and performance committee during medical school (MS)1, MS2, MS3 and/or MS4 years.

Discussion

NBME exams early in the curriculum may be an additional tool for early identification of struggling learners.
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Metadata
Title
Early identification of struggling learners: using prematriculation and early academic performance data
Authors
Layne D. Bennion
Dario Torre
Steven J. Durning
David Mears
Deanna Schreiber-Gregory
Jessica T Servey
David F. Cruess
Michelle Yoon
Ting Dong
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Bohn Stafleu van Loghum
Published in
Perspectives on Medical Education / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 2212-2761
Electronic ISSN: 2212-277X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-019-00539-2

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