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 rotat ion disciplines taken can effect medical student examination scores on the National Board of Medical Examiners Subject Exam score for obstet rics and gynecology. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted of 439 student files for the academic years 1987 through 1991. The fi nal clerkship grades and subject examination scores for internal medic ine, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology we re reviewed. RESULTS: It was determined that completion of internal me dicine or surgery before obstetrics and gynecology yielded higher scor es in obstetrics and gynecology (p < 0.00001), with the largest improv ement (from 533 to 586) observed when obstetrics and gynecology follow ed the internal medicine rotation. CONCLUSION: The sequence of rotatio n 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 th e internal medicine or surgery clerkships.