Effect of a longitudinal course on student performance in clerkships.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect that a 3-year primary-care course experience with family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatric preceptors would have on clerkship performance in pediatrics and internal medicine.


METHODS
In 1 academic year, third-year students were divided retrospectively into 3 groups based on preceptor type in the primary care course. An analysis of variance was conducted. When the analysis of variance showed statistical significance, a multiple-comparison t test was performed.


METHODS
University medical school with a longitudinal preceptor experience.


METHODS
One hundred nine third-year medical students who participated in the primary care course and completed the pediatric and internal medicine clerkships. Fifty-six students took part in the self-assessment portion of the study.


METHODS
Student performance scores in the pediatric clerkship and internal medicine clerkship were analyzed for significant differences based on preceptor type. Student self-assessment on pediatric objectives was analyzed for significant differences based on preceptor experience.


RESULTS
Students with pediatric preceptors received higher clinical scores in the pediatric clerkship (P = .04) and perceived themselves as more advanced on 18 of the 39 pediatric curriculum pretest self-assessment items. Students with pediatric or internal medicine preceptors received significantly higher scores on the written patient medical history and physical examinations (P = .02). There were no significant differences on the pediatric written examination. There were no significant performance differences in the internal medicine clerkship. All hypothesis testing was conducted at the 95% confidence level.


CONCLUSIONS
Experiences with pediatric preceptors in the early years of medical school may improve a student's performance and confidence in the pediatric clerkship.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Denver, USA.
R
R
Deterding
C
C
Kamin
G
G
Barley
L
L
Adams
B
B
Dwinnell
G
G
Merenstein
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003120:Colorado; D003479:Curriculum; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D011231:Preceptorship; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D012655:Self-Evaluation Programs