Methods for teaching physical examination skills to medical students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physical Examination Skills Training

Background:

• Teaching physical examination (PE) skills is crucial in medical education.
• Current methods used by medical school faculty to teach PE skills are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey PE course directors to understand current PE teaching methods.
• To identify teaching methods perceived as most effective.
• To explore the recruitment and payment of standardized patients (SPs).

Main Methods:

• A written survey was distributed to PE course directors at US allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.
• Data was collected from 83 responding institutions.

Main Results:

• The top three teaching methods currently used and perceived as best include demonstration on SPs, practice on SPs, and practice on real patients.
• A significant discrepancy exists between currently used and perceived best PE teaching methods.
• Specific differences in teaching methods were noted for sensitive examination areas.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrations and practice sessions involving SPs, along with practice on real patients, are considered the most effective PE teaching methods.
• A gap persists between the PE teaching methods instructors believe are best and those they actually employ.