Factors Associated with Acceptance of Repeat MCAT Test Takers into a West Virginian Allopathic Medical School.

OBJECTIVES: A paucity of information exists to advise medical school applicants who have had to retake the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to achieve a competitive score. To better advise repeat test takers from West Virginia and other Appalachian and southern areas, MCAT data from West Virginia applicants were analyzed and compared with national data. METHODS: In the application cycles of 2017-2020, the following factors were analyzed in relation to medical school acceptance in West Virginia applicants: MCAT scores, the number of test-taking attempts, biology-chemistry-physics-math grade point average, time between test-taking attempts, and academic major. MCAT data from medical school applicants from West Virginia who took the test more than once also were compared with national data. RESULTS: Of the total repeat test takers from West Virginia (N = 285) in the study timeframe, 57 (20%) were ultimately accepted into medical school. Factors associated with medical school acceptance were as follows: first MCAT test score (odds ratio [OR] 1.3, 95% confidence level [CL] 1.2-1.4, P < 0.001), change in MCAT test score (OR 1.2, 95% CL 1.1-1.3, P = 0.0015), and biology-chemistry-physics-math grade point average (OR 15.1, 95% CL 4.2-54.8, P < 0.0001). The highest benefit for improved scores occurred between the first and second attempts. The highest point gain occurred when the first MCAT score was in the range of 477 to 487 (<1st-12th percentile); this finding was not found in the national data. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study was limited to West Virginia medical school applicants, this information could prove useful in advising premedical applicants from other Appalachian and southern US areas.

Maternal outcomes in women supplemented with a high-protein drink in labour.

BACKGROUND: Because of the potential aspiration risk, oral intake is restricted during labour. AIMS: To determine whether high-protein drink supplementation in labour decreases nausea and emesis and promotes patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01414478). Labouring women were randomised into two groups: Group P received a high-protein drink (325 mL) with ice chips/water PRN; and Group C served as control and received only ice chips/water PRN (Study 1). Incidences of nausea and emesis were measured hourly until delivery and at 1 h postdelivery. Patient satisfaction was measured the following day. A secondary aim was to evaluate the rate of gastric emptying (t½ ) in women who ingested either 325 mL of a high-protein drink or ice chips/water (Study 2) using ultrasound. RESULTS: In Study 1, 150 women were recruited (Group P = 75; Group C = 75). There were no differences in the overall incidences of nausea (P = 0.14), emesis (P = 0.15) or in the incidences at the measured time periods (MANOVA, P > 0.05). Median patient satisfaction scores were higher in Group P than in Group C (P = 0.007). In Study 2, 18 additional patients (Group PG = 9; Group CG = 9) were analysed to determine US gastric emptying t½ rates (PG : 25.56 ± 15.90 min [95% CI: 15.17 - 35.94] compared with CG : 20.00 ± 8.70 min [95% CI: 14.34 - 25.66], P = 0.19). CONCLUSION: In labour, patient satisfaction is improved with high-protein drink supplementation compared with ice chips/water with comparable gastric emptying rates.

Prospective randomized, controlled study of postoperative pain after titanium silicone rubber clip or Silastic ring tubal occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if laparoscopic sterilization using the Filshie clip causes less postoperative pain as compared to the Falope ring during the first 24 h after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Forty subjects were enrolled. Five milliliters of 0.5% bupivicaine was injected at each of the two incision sites and 5 mL was dripped onto each fallopian tube. Subjects then received one Filshie clip and Falope ring on opposite fallopian tubes; the side of occlusion was randomized. Subjects were questioned about pain prior to the first administration of analgesics postoperatively, 1 and 2 h after surgery, at discharge, and 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: Forty subjects completed the study; 32 without major deviations from protocol. There was no significant difference in pain between sides with the Filshie clip or Falope ring at any times evaluated. CONCLUSION: There was no significant reduction in the postoperative pain associated with the Filshie clip as compared to the Falope ring within 24 h after surgery.