Bedside direct observation of medical student-performed physical examination is highly rated in student satisfaction

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Objectives: To evaluate satisfaction among third year medical students with a bedside teaching exercise comprised of direct observation of student-performed physical examination skills and related feedback. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study design was employed to study third year medical students undergoing the Neurology clerkship at the Ohio State University College of Medicine between June and October 2015. Immediately following the bedside physical examination teaching exercise, student satisfaction data was obtained in anonymous survey (n=21). In addition, student satisfaction data from the class cohort (n=51), regarding various learning formats in the curriculum, were collected at the end of a 16-week block of rotations including the Neurology clerkship. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Most students felt that their level of confidence increased as a result (85.0%, n=17/21), and they felt they would use what they had learned in the future (95%, n=19/21). Only about half of the students felt strongly that reflection on the learning experience was sought (47.6%, n= 10/21). At the end of the 16 weeks block, the Neurology examination exercise was rated among the most highly in student satisfaction (3.35/4, SD=0.89) as compared to procedural workshops (2.76/4, SD= 0.76), other small group topic format (2.78/4, SD= 0.85), and traditional lecture (2.39/ 4, SD= 0.89). Conclusions: The bedside direct observation of physical examination performed by medical students is highly rated in student satisfaction, and students are most satisfied with this format of teaching among all formats studied. Increased opportunity for reflection in this setting represents an area for further development.