Hospital grand rounds in family medicine. Content and educational structure.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate hospital grand rounds in family medicine, to examine their content and organization, and to recommend improved educational structures for these ubiquitous continuing medical education events.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of titles and content of 358 family medicine grand rounds offered in the department of family medicine of a large urban hospital from mid-1983 to the end of 1994.


RESULTS
Only 10% of family medicine grand rounds were presented by family physicians. Most grand rounds were in the form of specialists exhibiting their own interests in a lecture format. Analysis of grand rounds titles showed no consistent pattern of topics but an emphasis on practical aspects of medical care. Patient-based presentations were uncommon, as were grand rounds with more than one speaker.


CONCLUSIONS
The content and mix of topics appeared appropriate, but in the absence of a curricular structure, or evaluation of learning gain, it is difficult to assess the value of grand rounds.
Lewkonia
R
R
Department of Medicine, University of Calgary.
Sosnowski
M
M
Murray
F
F
D000416:Alberta; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D012189:Retrospective Studies