Students Needing Remediation in Pre-Clinical Course Failures in a DVM Program: A 10-Year Analytic Study

Remediation of pre-clinical course failures in the DVM program at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine began in 2010. We set out to understand whether some students were more likely than others to use remediation opportunities and succeed. Student demographics, undergraduate (UG) experiences, including institution attended and major studied, UG performance as measured by grade point average (uGPA), and extent of academic difficulties in DVM years 1-3 were studied at univariate levels to determine which students more often failed ≥1 courses, remediated ≥1 courses, and were successful in all remediation attempts. Among 815 students in DVM classes 2014-2023, 157 failed ≥1 courses. Risk factors associated with failing ≥1 courses and with unsuccessful remediation were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis. Unsuccessful remediation, resulting in student's academic attrition, was defined as not succeeding at remediation of all failed courses, including being ineligible for or not attempting remediation. Risk factors were considered statistically significant at p value <0.05. Lower uGPA, having attended a minority-serving institution, and being an underrepresented minority or an international student were associated with increased likelihood of failing ≥1 courses. However, the only factors associated with unsuccessful remediation were failing ≥3 courses in DVM years 1-3 and failing at least one course in DVM year 1. No demographic or UG educational background is associated with unsuccessful remediation. Taken together, our models suggest that being at risk of failing ≥1 courses in DVM years 1-3 did not inevitably put students at risk of attrition when remediation opportunities were provided. However, an increasing number of course failures and failures beginning in DVM year 1 increased the risk of unsuccessful remediation. Early intervention to minimize academic difficulties in DVM program may mitigate risk of student attrition.