Do Undergraduate Choices Predict Medical Gross Anatomy Performance?

Abstract

A 2019 study conducted by Robertson et al. suggested that the amount of prior anatomy experience does not predict the performance of first‐year medical students in medical gross anatomy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). In recent years, it has not been possible for UMMC to accept non‐state residents to its medical program. Thus, nearly seventy‐five percent of first‐year medical students matriculate from one of five major in‐state institutions. At current writing, four of the five schools directly communicate with the UMMC admissions program regarding the relationship between their courses and UMMC’s specific institutional mission. First‐year students enter UMMC with a wide range of previous undergraduate and graduate degrees. The undergraduate choices investigated were which institution(s) students attended, what type and how many degree(s) they attained, and whether they took an anatomy course prior to attending UMMC. We hypothesized 1) that undergraduate degree does not predict performance in a medical gross anatomy course, 2) individuals with science majors are more likely to have prior anatomy experience, 3) the collaboration of the previous institution with UMMC does not predict performance in a medical gross anatomy course, and 4) students from Mississippi College who have prior anatomy experience will perform better in the medical gross course at UMMC. Mississippi College implements a gross anatomy curriculum that is nearly identical to the course taught at UMMC. Data was collected from 280 first‐year medical students at UMMC in the fall of 2016 and fall of 2017. Using a self‐reported survey, data was collected on the number and type of prior degrees and prior anatomy experience. The course director provided student performance data in the medical gross anatomy course. The office of admissions of the medical school confirmed the prior degrees and previous academic institutions of the students. Quantitative analysis was used to determine the validity of the research hypotheses. The results of this study could provide additional guidance to undergraduate students during the degree selection process prior to applying to medical school.