A sampling strategy for promoting and assessing medical student retention of physical examination skills
Reed G Williams1, Debra L Klamen, David Mayer
1Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, 800 North Rutledge Street, PO Box 19638, Springfield, IL 62794-9638, USA. rwilliams@siumed.edu
Background:
Skill acquisition and maintenance requires spaced deliberate practice. Assessing medical students' physical examination performance ability is resource intensive. The authors assessed the nature and size of physical examination performance samples necessary to accurately estimate total physical examination skill.
Method:
Physical examination assessment data were analyzed from second year students at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago in 2002, 2003, and 2004 (N = 548). Scores on subgroups of physical exam maneuvers were compared with scores on the total physical exam, to identify sound predictors of total test performance.
Results:
Five exam subcomponents were sufficiently correlated to overall test performance and provided adequate sensitivity and specificity to serve as a means to prompt continued student review and rehearsal of physical examination technical skills.
Conclusions:
Selection and administration of samples of the total physical exam provide a resource-saving approach for promoting and estimating overall physical examination skills retention.
Related Concept Videos
Data Collection III
The principles to begin the physical assessment include conducting a comprehensive or problem-related history in a quiet, well-lit room, emphasizing privacy and comfort for the patient.
Surveys
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Random Sampling Method
Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching III: Evaluation and Documentation
Nurses can use several methods to evaluate patient outcomes. For example, oral questions can assess cognitive learning, patient...
