title: Preliminary outcomes of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's 3-year Primary Care Scholar Pathway in osteopathic predoctoral education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2007, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine initiated its Primary Care Scholar Pathway (PCSP), a 3-year osteopathic predoctoral education curriculum.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess preliminary outcomes of the PCSP curriculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scores for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) Levels 1 and 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE) and pass rates for Level 2-Performance Evaluation (PE) were obtained for individuals who graduated from the PCSP program in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Scores for Levels 1 and 2-CE were compared with national mean scores. Acceptance rates for residency programs were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen PCSP graduates were included in the study: 3 graduated in 2010, 6 graduated in 2011, and 10 graduated in 2012. Scores for PCSP students were not significantly different than national average scores for COMLEX-USA Levels 1 and 2-CE (P>.05). All 19 PCSP graduates passed the COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE on the first attempt, and all graduates were accepted into primary care residency programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The COMLEX-USA scores of PCSP graduates were similar to national mean scores, suggesting that it is possible for osteopathic medical students to attain the same level of education as students of 4-year programs in less time. A 3-year osteopathic predoctoral education curriculum would allow students to complete their education at a reduced cost. This potential reduction in debt burden could encourage more students to pursue a primary care career and thus could help address the shortage of primary care physicians in the United States.
authors.affiliation: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1858 W Grandview Blvd, Erie, PA 16509-1025. rraymond@lecom.edu.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Silvia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ortoski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D008297:Male; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine / Q000193:education*; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult