Breast cancer screening for primary care trainees: comparison of two teaching methods.
BACKGROUND
This study compared the efficacies of two methods of teaching breast cancer screening to primary care trainees.


METHODS
Fifty-one nurse-practitioner students were assigned by class section and 47 medical residents by practice site to receive a lecture-demonstration class or individual/small-group instruction from a standardized patient. Prior to instruction and one year later, participants took a written test to assess knowledge and standardized patients evaluated their skills.


RESULTS
Overall, the participants improved their breast cancer screening skills.


CONCLUSIONS
The standardized patient teaching method was of greater benefit to the nurse-practitioner students.
Coleman
E A
EA
College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, 72205-3078, USA.
Coon
S K
SK
Fitzgerald
A J
AJ
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D010173:Palpation; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D013663:Teaching