An independent study program within a medical curriculum

The Independent Study Program (ISP) at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry is described and its objectives are specified. Experimental (ISP) students and two matched (non-ISP students from the same class) groups were studied in two successive second-year medical school classes. Data were gathered only post-ISP for the first class and both pre- and post-ISP for the second. The data included measures of achievement, personality characteristics, and academic-professional experience. Experimental and control groups were not significantly different on achievement and academic-professional measures but did differ on certain measures of personality and values. The groups also differed on their evaluations of curriculum and reports of study habits. Fache ISP program was considered, and it was found that the ISP is less expensive of faculty time than is the regular curriculum but involves higher nonfaculty costs.