Predictors of Performance of Students from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College on the Licensure Examinations of the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board
Received 12 December 2005; accepted 1 January 2006.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine if the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) structured admissions interview and other student measures predict success on the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) examinations.
Methods
An independent researcher combined CMCC and CCEB data by student name and then anonymized the data and destroyed the linking information. Backward stepwise multiple linear regressions were applied to external dependent variables from the CCEB and internal independent variables from the CMCC.
Results
Forty percent of the variance in the basic science examination (R2 = 0.405) was explained by the independent variables of third year objective structured clinical examination practical and second-year grade point average (χρGPA). Forty-five percent of the variance in the applied science examination (R2 = 0.448) was explained by the fourth year final examination and χρGPA for years 4, 2, and 3. Twenty-four percent of the variance in the clinical decision making examination (R2 = 0.239) was explained by χρGPAs of years 4, 1, 2, and 3. Sixteen percent of the variance in the clinical skills examination (R2 = 0.160) was explained by the third year objective structured clinical examination theory and χρGPA for year 2.
Conclusion
For this educational institution, the admissions interview is not a predictor of success on the outcome measures of the CCEB. Student χρGPA in year 2 is critical to success on CCEB licensure examinations. This information infers that students should only continue in their education after they have demonstrated a mastery level at the end of year 2.
aGraduate student, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Education Research Centre, University of Calgary
bAssociate Dean, Undergraduate Education, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
Submit requests for reprints to: Douglas M. Lawson, DC, MSc, Graduate student, 4832 26 Ave NE Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T1Y1C9.