DOES EARLY CLINICAL-EXPOSURE ENHANCE PERFORMANCE DURING 3RD-YEAR CLERKSHIP

This study was undertaken to assess the effects of early clinical expo sure in an indigent care free clinic on third-year clerkship mini-boar d scores (clinical knowledge), faculty evaluation (especially rapport with colleagues and patients), and final rotation grades. After comple tion of third-year clerkships, a sample of participants was compared w ith nonparticipants. Comparative statistics, repeated measure analysis , and analyses of variance were performed on the entire group as well as by sex and by individual rotation. No statistically significant dif ferences were found in the main-frame, but subgroup findings indicate further study is warranted. Negative findings might be explained in pa rt by small sample size and the fact that the clinic is exclusively ou tpatient, while the third-year clerkship experience is inpatient. Data collection is being continued, and studies are ongoing to look at the long-term effect of the program on participants.