A randomized trial comparing 2 outpatient educational settings for clerkship students: private practice office vs...

The purpose of this study was to compare medical students' experiences in 2 outpatient educational settings.

For their 2-week ambulatory rotation, all 76 medical students were randomized to either a hospital clinic or a private office. Seventy students completed the survey.

When compared to students working in a private office setting, hospital clinic students reported more breast exams, speculum exams, uterine fundal height measurements, wet mount reading, contraceptive counseling, and first obstetrical and gynecologic patient visits. Students in the hospital clinic were more likely to report having educationally valuable opportunities to interview and examine patients and to discuss the differential diagnosis with their preceptor. Nevertheless, medical students randomized to the private office were more likely to report considering obstetrics and gynecology as a career.

The hospital clinic provided students with more clinical experiences. Medical students assigned to a private office, however, were more likely to consider obstetrics and gynecology as a career.