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BACKGROUND: Although considerable attention has been given to the establishment of enrichment programs, almost none has focused on evaluating their effectiveness. PURPOSE: To assess whether or not skills acquired during enrichment programs contributed to students' academic success in medical school. METHODS: Success in medical school, as characterized by lack of delaying events (DE), student status, and United States Medical Licensing Examination-Step I scores were analyzed using a general linear model procedure to determine the effect of participation in 1 or more enrichment programs. Proportional program participation was analyzed using a chi-square test of equal proportion. RESULTS: Participants from the "serious research" enrichment programs experienced significantly fewer DE (p <.01), which contributed to student success. Some enrichment programs had disproportionately higher attendance. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in research-based enrichment programs for matriculating students who are "at risk" may develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that help students to minimize DE.
Tekian et al. (Thu,) studied this question.