[Critical reading of clinical investigation reports in pregraduate students]

To evaluate the development of critical reading (CR) of clinical research texts (CRT) in medical students.

In 65 students an instrument for the evaluation of CR of CRT was applied. Four groups from three universities were studied: an academic excellence group (n = 21), B1 (n = 19) and B2 (n = 12), C (n = 13). The instrument had eight CRT with 150 items; 50 items to any of the following indicators: interpretation, judgment and proposition. The items were balanced in 50 % false and 50 % true. It was analyzed the global management degrade and by indicator.

Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test was used.

Age 22 (median) 20-28 (range) years, gender 56.9 % women, without differences between the three universities. The global score was 50.5 (8 to 112). Group A had statistically significant higher results in global score and by indicator (p < 0.001) in relation with the other universities. According to the interpretation, judgment and proposition indicators, group A had the higher score.

The results are similar to those observed in medical residents, because the development degrade for CR reading was low.