Continuing education in the physician's office: a pilot study for breast exams

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Oncology
• Primary Care

Background:

• Physicians expressed interest in breast screening education.
• Effective breast cancer screening education is crucial for early detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of an office-based training program for primary care physicians in breast screening techniques.
• To evaluate physician satisfaction with the training.

Main Methods:

• A training program was delivered to 14 physicians in Vermont and Florida.
• Instruction included clinical breast examination and breast self-examination techniques.
• Physician palpation skills were measured pre- and post-training.

Main Results:

• Substantial improvement in physician palpation skills was observed after the training.
• The office-based training format was highly acceptable to all participating physicians.

Conclusions:

• Office-based training is an effective method for improving physician breast screening skills.
• This educational approach enhances physician confidence and competence in breast examinations.