What predicts USMLE Step 3 performance?
BACKGROUND
Academic and other student-specific variables associated with United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 3 performance have not been fully defined.


METHODS
We analyzed Step 3 scores in association with medical school academic-performance measures, gender, residency specialty, and first postgraduate year (PGY-l) of training program-director performance evaluations.


RESULTS
There were significant first-order associations between Step 3 scores and each of USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores, third-year clerkships' grade point average (GPA), Alpha Omega Alpha election, Medical Scientist Training Program graduation, broad-based specialty residency training, and PGY-l performance evaluation score. In a multiple linear regression model accounting for over 50% of the total variance in Step 3 scores, Step 2 scores, broad-based-specialty residency training, and GPA independently predicted Step 3 scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Individualized Step 3 scores provide medical schools with additional means to externally validate their educational programs and to enhance the scope of outcomes assessments for their graduates.
Andriole
Dorothy A
DA
Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8210, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. andrioled@msnotes.wustl.edu
Jeffe
Donna B
DB
Hageman
Heather L
HL
Whelan
Alison J
AJ
D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008923:Missouri