Teaching Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis: A Workshop for Hospitalists

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Skills Training

Background:

• Teaching physical examination skills, particularly evidence-based physical diagnosis, is often insufficient during general medicine rotations.
• A need exists for structured faculty development in this area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and evaluate a faculty workshop focused on teaching evidence-based physical diagnosis to hospitalists.
• To assess the impact of the workshop on faculty's teaching prioritization, approach, confidence, and knowledge of resources.

Main Methods:

• A workshop was developed incorporating a systematic approach, teaching resources, and peer observation.
• Participants completed pre- and post-workshop surveys, with an optional long-term follow-up.
• Data analysis involved paired comparisons of survey responses.

Main Results:

• Post-workshop, participants showed significant improvements in prioritizing, systematic approach to, and confidence in teaching evidence-based physical diagnosis (p < .001).
• Participants could name more teaching resources post-workshop (p < .001).
• Informal feedback indicated a desire for more hands-on physical exam practice and observed teaching.

Conclusions:

• The developed workshop effectively improved hospitalist faculty's attitudes and skills in teaching evidence-based physical diagnosis.
• While the workshop demonstrated positive short-term outcomes, long-term participation was limited by external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic.