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Effect of a Longitudinal Course on Student Performance in Clerkships
Robin Deterding, MD;
Carol Kamin, EdD;
Gwyn Barley, PhD;
Lorraine Adams, MSW;
Brian Dwinnell, MD;
Gerald Merenstein, MD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:755-760.
Objective To determine the effect that a 3-year primary-care course experience with family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatric preceptors would have on clerkship performance in pediatrics and internal medicine.
Design In 1 academic year, third-year students were divided retrospectively into 3 groups based on preceptor type in the primary care course. An analysis of variance was conducted. When the analysis of variance showed statistical significance, a multiple-comparison t test was performed.
Setting University medical school with a longitudinal preceptor experience.
Participants One hundred nine third-year medical students who participated in the primary care course and completed the pediatric and internal medicine clerkships. Fifty-six students took part in the self-assessment portion of the study.
Main Outcome Measures Student performance scores in the pediatric clerkship and internal medicine clerkship were analyzed for significant differences based on preceptor type. Student self-assessment on pediatric objectives was analyzed for significant differences based on preceptor experience.
Results Students with pediatric preceptors received higher clinical scores in the pediatric clerkship (P=.04) and perceived themselves as more advanced on 18 of the 39 pediatric curriculum pretest self-assessment items. Students with pediatric or internal medicine preceptors received significantly higher scores on the written patient medical history and physical examinations (P=.02). There were no significant differences on the pediatric written examination. There were no significant performance differences in the internal medicine clerkship. All hypothesis testing was conducted at the 95% confidence level.
Conclusion Experiences with pediatric preceptors in the early years of medical school may improve a student's performance and confidence in the pediatric clerkship.
From the Departments of Pediatrics (Drs Deterding, Kamin, and Merenstein), Family Medicine (Dr Barley), Internal Medicine (Ms Adams and Dr Dwinnell), and Education (Dr Merenstein), University of Colorado, Denver.
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Variables That May Enhance Medical Students' Perceived Preparedness for Computer-based Testing
Lynch et al.
J. Am. Med. Inform. Assoc. 2000;7:469-474.
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