Improving clinical breast examination training in a medical school: a randomized controlled trial.
To evaluate a new program for teaching clinical breast examination, a class of 156 second-year medical students were randomized into an experimental group (practice and feedback on silicone breast models and women volunteers) and a control group (lecture only). During a simulated practical clinical examination routinely conducted at the end of the second year, the experimental group students used more suggested palpation techniques during a patient examination (4.6 vs 2.0; p < 0.0001) and found more simulated lumps in a silicone model (4.7 vs 4.4; p < 0.05). Practice with immediate feedback is more effective than lecture alone in teaching clinical breast examination.
Pilgrim
C
C
Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington 28403-3297.
Lannon
C
C
Harris
R P
RP
Cogburn
W
W
Fletcher
S W
SW
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010173:Palpation; D010808:Physical Examination; D016037:Single-Blind Method