Comparing Medical Knowledge of Osteopathic Trainees in DO and MD Programs: A Random Effect Meta-Analysis

Summary

This study demonstrated how to use random effect meta-analysis to synthesize test results from multiple administrations of examinations which have a same purpose but are not on a same measurement scale. This analysis examined the mean score differences of osteopathic medical Board Part III/Level 3 exams between osteopathic students in DO residency pro grams and osteopathic students in MD programs and found that the average mean score difference was not significantly different from zero, but the estimates of true effect sizes of each exam varied substantially. The findings suggest that, overall, medical knowledge of osteopathic students in MD and DO programs is compatible by the time students took the exams. However, impact of factors other than differences between DO and MD programs on students’ performance needs further investigation.