Influential Factors on Results of Comprehensive Pre-internship Exam in Medical Faculty of Kashan University of Medical Sciences: Survey of an 18-year Period

Acceptance of medical students in the Comprehensive pre-internship Exam (CPIE) is a prerequisite for entering to the internship course. Identifying and controlling risk factors of success in the CPIE is necessary. This study aimed to determine effective factors on the results of the CPIE in the medical Alumni of Kashan University of Medical Sciences during an 18-year period. In this cross-sectional study، medical alumni of the last 18 years whose CPIE results had been recorded in their university files (n=533) were selected. Data were gathered using a questionnaire including the result of the CPIE، and educational and demographic data. The frequency of failure in the CPIE was calculated. The Chi-squared test، Fisher''s exact test، independent t-test، multivariate stepwise linear regression، logistic regression، and crude and adjusted odds Ratio were used to analyze the status of the probable risk factors. The frequency of failure in the CPIE was 9. 2%. Temporary transfer to other universities، delay in passing basic sciences course، and low average score for basic sciences exam were the most important risk factors of the failure in the CPIE. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that high school average score (B=-1. 04، SE=0. 467)، comprehensive basic sciences exam score (B=0. 52، SE=0. 075)، duration of basic sciences course (B=-7. 40، SE=1. 56)، and externship course average score (B=5. 03، SE=1. 1) explained more than 64. 5% of variance of the CPIE score; and in this regard، the highest value was for the comprehensive basic sciences exam score (R2=0. 513). T he risk factors of failure in the CPIE should be controlled; so، the students at risk should be identified and supported.