Rate of MRSA Acquisition in Medical Students from Pre-Clinical to Clinical Years

Rate of MRSA Acquisition in Medical Students from Pre-Clinical to Clinical Years is a research project organized within the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine to understand the transition that medical students undergo as they move from classroom- and laboratory-based pre-clinical training into patient-centered clinical rotations, and specifically on whether and how frequently colonization or acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) occurs during that transition. Positioned within a medical school environment where students encounter increasing levels of clinical exposure, this investigation addresses an important infection control and occupational health concern: the potential for trainees to acquire healthcare-associated pathogens as a consequence of clinical contact and to subsequently serve as vectors for transmission within clinical and community settings.

The research intends to document the rate of MRSA acquisition associated with early clinical experiences, clarify timing and potential risk periods during medical education and provide data that can inform infection prevention training and policies for students, preceptors, and affiliated clinical sites.

Outcomes from this research are likely to contribute to institutional educational practices by identifying whether additional protective measures, screening protocols, or enhanced hand hygiene and personal protective equipment training are warranted for students transitioning into clinical care. Findings could also guide collaborations between medical education leaders and clinical partners to ensure both learner safety and patient protection.