[Retention of knowledge. III--Gynecology program]

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gynecology Training

Background:

• Assessing long-term knowledge retention in medical education is crucial for effective training.
• Gynecology programs require continuous evaluation to ensure sustained learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate knowledge retention patterns in gynecology trainees over three academic years.
• To analyze the impact of time on knowledge retention in a medical curriculum.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of examination scores from the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of a gynecology program.
• Utilizing non-identical examinations with consistent content to assess knowledge retention.
• Statistical analysis of knowledge loss and gain percentages, including standard error and time influence.

Main Results:

• A significant knowledge loss of -45.0% +/- 1.4% was observed between the fourth and fifth years, independent of the time interval.
• A notable knowledge gain of +72.8% +/- 11.1% occurred between the fifth and sixth years, influenced by the time between examinations.

Conclusions:

• Medical knowledge retention in gynecology education is dynamic, showing initial decline followed by improvement.
• The timing of assessments significantly impacts knowledge gain in later stages of medical training.