Value of case-of-the-week presentations on the radiology component of the Comprehensive Clinical Assessment examination.
OBJECTIVE
The Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (CCA) examination at the University of Michigan Medical School is a series of test stations through which the mastery of clinical skills is evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether student performance on the radiology station improved in years when radiology faculty presented case-of-the-week unknowns to the 3rd-year students.


METHODS
The authors compared four separate classes of medical students in examination years 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 by using the total CCA examination score, the radiology station score, and radiology station pass/fail rates. Radiology case-of-the-week presentations were given by the radiology faculty only in academic years 1993-1994 and 1994-1995 (examination years 1994 and 1995).


RESULTS
The means and standard deviations of the radiology station scores for the examination years when case-of-the-week presentations were not given, 1993 and 1996, were 78.92 +/- 13.62 and 79.76 +/- 13.62, respectively. In the years case-of-the-week presentations were given, 1994 and 1995, the radiology station scores averaged 90.83 +/- 8.58 and 89.97 +/- 9.66, respectively (P < .001, global alpha = .05). Total CCA percentage correct scores were similar for all years studied. In 1993 and 1996, 7.6% and 5.3% of students, respectively, failed the radiology station. In 1994 and 1995, 0.4% and 0% of students, respectively, failed (P < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Case-of-the-week presentations by radiology faculty increased 3rd-year students' basic radiologic knowledge as evidenced by increased scores on the radiology station of the CCA examination.
Rochester
A B
AB
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA.
Roubidoux
M A
MA
Fitzgerald
J T
JT
Blane
C E
CE
Bowerman
R A
RA
McQuillan
M
M
D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching