EFFECTS OF ROTATION DISCIPLINE ON MEDICAL-STUDENT GRADES IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to determine whether the sequence of rotation disciplines taken can effect medical student examination scores on the National Board of Medical Examiners Subject Exam score for obstetrics and gynecology. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted of 439 student files for the academic years 1987 through 1991. The final clerkship grades and subject examination scores for internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology were reviewed. RESULTS: It was determined that completion of internal medicine or surgery before obstetrics and gynecology yielded higher scores in obstetrics and gynecology (p < 0.00001), with the largest improvement (from 533 to 586) observed when obstetrics and gynecology followed the internal medicine rotation. CONCLUSION: The sequence of rotation can affect scores on the National Board of Medical Examiners subject examination in obstetrics and gynecology. The largest improvement in student scores was observed when obstetrics and gynecology followed the internal medicine or surgery clerkships.