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From library to discharge: a managing care student project
Fredrick A McCurdy1, David V O'Dell, Jeffrey Susman
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska, USA. fred.mccurdy@ttuhsc.edu
Family Medicine
|February 13, 2004
Summary
The Patient Care Project improved medical students' critical thinking and communication skills. While not significantly altering attitudes, it enhanced practical skills in cost containment and evidence-based medicine.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Professions Education
- Critical Thinking Skills
Background:
- The Patient Care Project (PCP) was part of the Undergraduate Medical Education for the 21st Century (UME-21) grant.
- It aimed to enhance medical students' critical thinking and management of care skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the PCP on medical students' critical thinking, communication, and understanding of healthcare management.
- To assess changes in student attitudes and behaviors regarding patient care, cost containment, and evidence-based medicine.
Main Methods:
- 239 graduating medical students analyzed patient care, with written critiques assessed for critical thinking.
- A criterion-based evaluation tool and the UME-21 Graduation Survey were used.
- Students graduating in 1999 served as a control group.
Main Results:
- Students demonstrated insight into patient care, evidence-based medicine, quality improvement, and cost containment.
- No statistically significant differences were found between PCP and control groups on the UME-21 survey.
- More PCP students identified patient costs, designed quality improvement loops, and used evidence-based medicine databases.
Conclusions:
- The PCP was relevant to student learning needs, fostering critical analysis of care and costs.
- No substantial differences in attitudes were demonstrated via the UME-21 survey.
- Despite this, the PCP was faculty-valued and integrated into the curriculum.