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How an ethics workshop for preceptors affects medical students
B K Hennen1, J Morrissy, A Grindrod
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London.
Summary
A medical ethics workshop for preceptors did not significantly improve student learning. Further research is needed to explore effective interventions for medical ethics education.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Bioethics
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Medical ethics education is crucial for developing physician competency.
- Family medicine preceptors play a key role in shaping students' ethical understanding.
- Previous interventions to enhance ethics education require further evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a medical ethics workshop for preceptors on their students' ethics learning.
- To identify educational and experiential factors influencing students' ethics learning.
Main Methods:
- A 3-hour workshop was offered to family physician preceptors.
- Student performance was evaluated by comparing written responses to clinical vignettes.
- Scores of students with preceptors who attended the workshop were compared to a control group.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in ethics learning performance was observed between students whose preceptors attended the workshop and those whose preceptors did not.
- Analysis of student-reported influences on their learning was also conducted.
Conclusions:
- The study's single outcome measure and potential volunteer bias limit definitive conclusions.
- Further research with varied interventions and outcome measures is recommended to improve medical ethics education for students.