Dental Students' Perceptions of an After-Visit Summary in an Academic Clinical Setting: Mixed-Method Approach

This study aimed to evaluate dental students' perceptions of an after-visit summary (AVS) at the University of Illinois Chicago, College of Dentistry, using a mixed-method approach.

An AVS module was created in the electronic health record (EHR, axiUm, Exan, Coquitlam, BC, Canada) for the most frequently performed dental procedures. The AVS was made available to all 3rd- and 4th-year dental students. Student utilization of the EHR-based AVS module was assessed for the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025. Perceptions of the AVS were thereafter assessed by (a) an anonymous electronic survey disseminated to the class of 2024 (N = 118) at 6- and 16-months post-implementation and (b) a dental student focus group discussion (N = 9). Descriptive analyses were performed on the survey results. The focus group discussion was audio-recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed.

The EHR-based AVS module was used by most students, with the highest compliance among the class of 2025 (85.6%). Of the 6-month survey respondents (N = 85), a majority (57.6%) utilized the AVS at least once. Most individuals utilizing the AVS reported improvements in communication of postoperative instructions and reduced time spent re-educating patients on treatment plans. Results were consistent with the focus group discussion.

Dental students conveyed that their educational experiences were enhanced with the AVS, perceived it as a helpful and empowering tool for communicating with patients and caregivers, and intend to continue using the AVS in clinics to optimize the delivery of patient care.