Impact of Commercial Third-Party Resource Integration on Preclinical Student Resource Use, Preferences, and Exam...

To evaluate the impact of commercial third-party resource (TPR) integration into a preclinical curriculum and examine student perspectives on integrated versus non-integrated TPRs.

Rx Bricks™ (Bricks) was integrated as a preclinical content framework at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine for academic year 2023-2024. A single-group cohort study with multivariate linear and logistic regressions was used to assess the relationship between Bricks usage and academic performance. Cross-sectional voluntary surveys captured student resource use and perspectives.

Among 206 students, median Bricks usage remained above 95% but declined from 90 to 63% in the lowest-usage quartile. Bricks usage was associated with a 0.46% (95% CI 0.07-0.84%) increase in National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) test score per 10% of assigned Bricks opened. Of 118 students surveyed, 55% reported using Bricks daily; however, other non-integrated resources were also frequently utilized. Students rated non-integrated resources as more efficient and exam-relevant (p < 0.01) than integrated resources, though ratings of accuracy and clinical relevance were similar.

Bricks usage was associated with modest academic benefits, but integration did not eliminate students' preference for non-integrated resources. Integration does not resolve tension between the formal curricula and TPRs, but it may enhance faculty resource allocation.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-025-02456-y.