Longitudinal Outcomes: Student Perceptions of a Third-Party-Resource-Based Pre-matriculation Module

Medical school is grueling. Students are required to learn large amounts of subject matter in short periods of time, while also participating in extra-curricular activities to become well-prepared and future residents. While many third-party resources can aid students in navigating the curriculum, the process of assessing and selecting these tools can be time-consuming and frustrating. To address this challenge, a pre-matriculation module was developed to introduce students to various third-party resources, enabling them to identify their preferences and understand their learning styles before matriculation. Links to free trials were also provided. Additionally, a supplement to the module featured advice and strategies from top-quartile students (now Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s)) on how to succeed in the pre-clinical curriculum. The module included voice-over slide presentations that highlighted third-party resources, tips for using these resources effectively, and insights from contributors on succeeding in the pre-clinical phase. To assess the perceived efficacy of the program, surveys were administered to incoming first-year osteopathic medical students (OMS-1) students at several time points: before beginning the first semester and pre-matriculation module, immediately after completing the module, and at the end of the first semester. Further surveys were conducted at the end of the second, third, and fourth semesters. Statistical analysis of the survey data was performed to evaluate students' perceptions of the module's value. Results indicated that students perceived the pre-matriculation module as significantly contributing to their pre-clinical academic success. These findings suggest that early exposure to third-party learning resources and tailored guidance from successful peers may ease the transition into medical school and foster better academic outcomes. Future research should explore the long-term impact of such pre-matriculation interventions on clinical performance and overall medical education. Additionally, investigations into tailoring modules to different learning styles or specific specialties could further optimize the student experience and success in medical education.