A review of medical school records to investigate the effectiveness of enrichment programs for "at risk" students.
BACKGROUND
Although considerable attention has been given to the establishment of enrichment programs, almost none has focused on evaluating their effectiveness.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether or not skills acquired during enrichment programs contributed to students' academic success in medical school.


METHODS
Success in medical school, as characterized by lack of delaying events (DE), student status, and United States Medical Licensing Examination-Step I scores were analyzed using a general linear model procedure to determine the effect of participation in 1 or more enrichment programs. Proportional program participation was analyzed using a chi-square test of equal proportion.


RESULTS
Participants from the "serious research" enrichment programs experienced significantly fewer DE (p <.01), which contributed to student success. Some enrichment programs had disproportionately higher attendance.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation in research-based enrichment programs for matriculating students who are "at risk" may develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that help students to minimize DE.
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Medical Education, 60612-7309, USA. tekian@uic.edu
Ara
A
Tekian
Laura
L
Hruska
D004521:Educational Measurement; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical; D014481:United States