Student Led Board Review Course for USMLE Step 1

Andrew Browne, Christopher Brubaker, Denise D. Gibson*, Adora Lin, Brett Lloyd, Adnan Mir, Bryan Mitton, Chris Runyan, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267 U.S.A.

Purpose

USMLE Step 1 generates high stress for second year medical students because of its importance to their education and career.  Students historically prepare for the exam on their own without formal instruction.  This pilot course sought to assist with student preparation for the boards in a classroom setting.

Methods

The Office of Academic Support created the course based on a model at Mayo School of Medicine. Seven students in the MD/PhD Program who had successfully passed Step 1 and were also tutors served as the instructors. They  were paid for preparation and instruction time. 

Results

The instructors used First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 by Bhushan, Le, Chandwani and Ozturkas as the text. Lecturers focused on high-yield material and used questions to guide the students to learning objectives and goals.  Ten two-hour class sessions, began in late March. Curriculum concentrated on second year coursework before focusing on first year material.  Eighty percent of second year students registered and attended the course. 

Conclusion and Future Directions

Enrolled students positively rated the course for the “live” instruction from peers for both spring examinations and USMLE Step 1. Instructors said they benefited from the teaching experience, peer recognition and knowledge acquisition. Ninety-eight percent of the class passed boards on first attempt, receiving the highest mean score in the past ten years.  Due to the benefits of the course to students and instructors alike, the course will be offered again the following academic year.