PMC:2893187 / 25131-26429 JSONTXT

{"target":"https://pubannotation.org/docs/sourcedb/PMC/sourceid/2893187","sourcedb":"PMC","sourceid":"2893187","source_url":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/2893187","text":"Our study has a number of limitations. First, only 59% of medical schools responded to the survey and nonrespondents may have had unique perspectives on their VMS programs that would have influenced the results. However, there were no significant differences between the responding and nonresponding schools regarding the percentages of VMS programs listed in the AAMC's \"Extramural Electives Compendium\" Web site, 2007 medical student enrollments, or 2007 US News \u0026 World Report rankings, thereby adding validity to the results. Second, we examined the perspectives of VMS programs, not the perspectives of actual visiting medical students. The survey respondents' impressions that medical students participate in VMS programs primarily to secure residency positions should be confirmed in future studies by surveying actual visiting medical students. Other reasons medical students participate in VMS programs might include evaluating an institution or residency program and comparing it to others, enhancing knowledge and skills, observing alternative practice styles and systems, and the enjoyment of travel [11]. It is also possible that US and international medical students participate in VMS programs for different reasons. All these medical student perspectives should be further explored.","tracks":[]}