Are Age, Sex, or Race and Ethnicity Associated With Performance on the OBGYN NBME Exam and Clerkship?

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q1 EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES

Journal of Surgical Education Pub Date : 2025-01-30 DOI:10.1016/j.jsurg.2025.103440

Katerina Shvartsman MD , Sami A. Abuhamdeh PhD , Ting Dong PhD , Monica Lutgendorf MD , Logan Peterson MD , Alexander Ulfers DO , Steven Durning MD, PhD, MACP

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the association of demographic variables—sex, age, and race/ethnicity—on the OBGYN National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) subject exam scores and clerkship final grades to identify potential disparities that could impact residency matches.

DESIGN

This retrospective study included 1550 students from a single medical school, spanning graduating classes from 2015 to 2024. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine differences in the OBGYN NBME scores and grades as a function of age, sex, ethnicity, and preclerkship performance.

SETTING

Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

PARTICIPANTS

All clerkship level medical students (1550) over a 10 year period.

RESULTS

Results indicated that younger students performed better on the OBGYN NBME exam, with a negative correlation between age and NBME scores (r = -.15, p < 0.001). Women outperformed men on the NBME exam (d = 0.23) and had higher final OBGYN grades than men. Analysis by race and ethnicity showed that nonunderrepresented in medicine races and ethnicities (NUIM) scored significantly higher than underrepresented in medicine (UIM) on the NBME exam (d = 0.34). However, when controlling for preclerkship performance, no significant differences were observed between ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the need for residency programs to consider demographic influences on standardized test performance. Clerkship directors may need to evaluate grading rubrics and the weight given to NBME scores to ensure fair assessment and support for all students, particularly those from UIM backgrounds. Further research is needed to explore the underlying factors contributing to these disparities and to develop strategies to mitigate them.

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来源期刊

Journal of Surgical Education EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES-SURGERY

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

10.30%

发文量

261

审稿时长

48 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Surgical Education (JSE) is dedicated to advancing the field of surgical education through original research. The journal publishes research articles in all surgical disciplines on topics relative to the education of surgical students, residents, and fellows, as well as practicing surgeons. Our readers look to JSE for timely, innovative research findings from the international surgical education community. As the official journal of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS), JSE publishes the proceedings of the annual APDS meeting held during Surgery Education Week.