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this goes for allopathic, DO, caribbean schools, etc. i'm curious after reading through the thread on the significantly lower pass rate for DOs on step 1.
i understand the curriculum is a bit different, but there are a lot of places (like AMC) that reaaaaaaally don't "teach to the boards." the only real biochem exposure we've had was the first few weeks of the first year of medical school (like anyone remembers that!) and we haven't had any significant exposure to it since. we also had microbiology for a whooping two weeks out of the past two years. so those are two pretty huge board subjects that have been mostly ignored at our school, yet our board passing scores are right around the national average.
we spend a LOT of time on "low yield" subjects, doing extensive evidence-based medicine/stats, and doing standardized physical exams/clinical bedsides.
i should also add that our school is starting to go nuts with "self study", which is a nice way of saying, "you're bothering us. go learn it yourself." up to 25% of the material in some themes is self study.. so i don't have much sympathy for the people who complain that they have to teach themselves the material for step 1.
is it different at your school? do you feel more prepared for step 1?
i understand the curriculum is a bit different, but there are a lot of places (like AMC) that reaaaaaaally don't "teach to the boards." the only real biochem exposure we've had was the first few weeks of the first year of medical school (like anyone remembers that!) and we haven't had any significant exposure to it since. we also had microbiology for a whooping two weeks out of the past two years. so those are two pretty huge board subjects that have been mostly ignored at our school, yet our board passing scores are right around the national average.
we spend a LOT of time on "low yield" subjects, doing extensive evidence-based medicine/stats, and doing standardized physical exams/clinical bedsides.
i should also add that our school is starting to go nuts with "self study", which is a nice way of saying, "you're bothering us. go learn it yourself." up to 25% of the material in some themes is self study.. so i don't have much sympathy for the people who complain that they have to teach themselves the material for step 1.
is it different at your school? do you feel more prepared for step 1?