A measure of medical instructional quality in ambulatory settings: the MedIQ.
OBJECTIVE
Concerns exist about the quality of medical student training outside the academic medical center. Yet, measures of this quality are lacking. This study introduces an instrument to measure instructional activities in primary care settings, based on a learner-centered model. The study also examines the instrument's ability to predict specific learner outcomes.


METHODS
The MedIQ is a 25-item instrument designed to assess preceptor activities, environmental interactions, learning opportunities, and learner involvement in patient care. The MedIQ was administered in third-year generalist clerkships at one medical school, and the results were compared to extant measures of precepting effectiveness, student grades, specialty choice, and National Board of Medical Examiners scores.


RESULTS
The results revealed strong reliability for all scales, moderate construct validity, and weak criterion-related validity. Additionally, some scores predicted specialty choice.


CONCLUSIONS
The MedIQ is a promising measure of instructional quality in ambulatory medical settings.
James
P A
PA
Department of Family Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA. paj@acsu.buffalo.edu
Osborne
J W
JW
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States