Assessment of the Research Interests and Perceptions of First-Year Medical Students at 4 Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

CONTEXT: There are limited data regarding the experiences of and attitudes toward research participation among osteopathic medical students despite rapidly increasing enrollment and expansion of the number of osteopathic medical schools. OBJECTIVE: To assess first-year osteopathic medical students' experience with research, their interest in it, their perceptions of its value, and barriers to participation. METHODS: An anonymous, online survey was sent to 868 medical students in the class of 2021 at 4 colleges of osteopathic medicine. The survey consisted of 14 multiple-choice items (7 of which offered the option of a written response) and 1 open-ended item that asked them to report their age. The survey remained open for 2 weeks, with 1 reminder email sent on the last day of the survey. Incomplete responses were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 328 participants were included, for a response rate of 38%. A majority of respondents reported previous research experience (261 [79.6%]), consistent with a strong perception that research participation is important (315 [96.0%]). Fewer students (177 [54.0%]) were either currently participating in research or affirmed interest in performing research during medical school, with the highest level of interest in clinical research (259 [79.0%]) followed by basic science (166 [50.6%]). Regarding incentives that might encourage participation in research, students preferred monetary compensation (213 [64.9%]) or extra credit in courses (195 [59.5%]). A commonly reported barrier to performing research during medical school was the possibility of a negative impact on performance in coursework (289 [88.1%]). CONCLUSION: First-year osteopathic medical students are interested in research, view research experience as valuable, and consider research experience as beneficial to future career development. This study's findings highlight opportunities for increasing student participation in research through incentives or removal of perceived barriers.

Women in Osteopathic and Allopathic Medical Schools: An Analysis of Applicants, Matriculants, Enrollment, and Chief Academic Officers.

In the 1993-1994 academic year, female enrollment was 34.7% in osteopathic medical schools and 40.2% in allopathic medical schools. To assess progress in female enrollment since that time, the authors examined admission data in the ensuing years, including female applicants, matriculants, and first-year students in osteopathic and allopathic medical schools, as well as female chief academic officers at these institutions. In the 2004-2005 academic year, 50.3% of first-year students in osteopathic medical schools were women; however, by the 2013-2014 academic year, that figure dropped to 44.2%. The percentage rose slightly by the 2016-2017 academic year to 45.9%. Additionally, for the 2016-2017 academic year, allopathic medical schools had a significantly higher proportion of female matriculants than did osteopathic medical schools (49.8% vs 45.9%, respectively; P<.001).

Predominance of serotype V and frequency of erythromycin resistance in Streptococcus agalactiae in Ohio.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the serotype distribution and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of group B Streptococcus from three Ohio regions in comparison to other areas of the United States. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred forty-nine group B Streptococcus isolates from three Ohio hospitals were serotyped specifically, and disk diffusion was used to determine antibiotic susceptibility. RESULTS: Serotype V was isolated most frequently (27%); major types Ia, Ib, II, and III had frequencies of 18%, 9%, 11%, and 17%, respectively. Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance was 12% (n = 200 isolates) and 8% (n = 49 isolates), respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence shift of resistant serotype V group B streptococci in Ohio reflects regional increases and suggests that alternative therapies for patients who are allergic to penicillin may be inadequate.