The impact of trained patient educators on musculoskeletal clinical skills attainment in pre-clerkship medical students.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite the high burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases, few generalists are comfortable teaching MSK physical examination (PE) skills. Patient Partners® in Arthritis (PP®IA) is a standardized patient educator program that could potentially supplement current MSK PE teaching. This study aims to determine if differences exist in MSK PE skills between non-MSK specialist physician and PP®IA taught students.

Methods

Pre-clerkship medical students attended 2-hour small group MSK PE teaching by either non-MSK specialist physician tutors or by PP®IA. All students underwent an MSK OSCE and completed retrospective pre-post questionnaires regarding comfort with MSK PE and interest in MSK.

Results

83 students completed the OSCE (42 PP®IA, 41 physician taught) and 82

SUBMITTER: Oswald AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3190339 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature