A survey of military residencies regarding 4th-year medical school clerkships

Objective: To determine the value of 4th-year medical student clerkships assessed by military obstetric and gynecologic program directors and residents. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all Department of Defense obstetric and gynecologic residency program directors and residents. All of the program directors and 124 of 194 (64%) residents responded, reporting the value of 4th-year medical student clerkships for students entering their programs. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results: Primary care clerkships were valued most highly by program directors who valued obstetric and gynecologic clerkships at their program sites or audition electives higher than those done at other sites. Residents most highly valued obstetric and gynecologic and intensive care clerkships. Most surgical subspecialties were believed to be of minimal or no value. Conclusion: For students entering their programs, military program directors placed the highest value on primary care clerkships. Program directors also highly valued obstetric and gynecologic clerkships at their programs, whereas residents considered obstetric and gynecologic and intensive care clerkships to be most helpful.