Prenatal protocol usage

A review was conducted of 825 obstetrics cases on active computer file at the Department of Family and Community Medicine in Little Rock, Arkansas. Independent raters evaluated faculty and resident usage of a prenatal protocol which was routinely used as a teaching tool in the department's residency program since 1972. Significant differences were found to exist with regard to usage of the tool by physician status. Faculty were more consistent and thorough in their usage of the teaching tool when compared to residents. Differences were explained in terms of a practice effect, research bias of faculty, levels of practice, and potential weaknesses in the educational program.