title: Experiential learning influences residents knowledge about hormone replacement therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge concerning hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is rapidly changing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to understand the factors that influence how residents assimilate this knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an anonymous survey of residents in an internal medicine residency. Questions included personal demographic information and aspects of training (didactic and experiential) regarding and knowledge about HRT. Data were analyzed using univariable and multivariable linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine of 92 residents (75%) completed the survey. The gender and race of respondents did not differ significantly from the overall group. Knowledge scores were higher among residents in nontraditional (Women's Health, Primary Care, and Internal Medicine-Pediatrics) training tracks (p = .04) and among residents with patient population of < or = 30% postmenopausal women (p = .049). Demographic characteristics and didactic training about HRT did not influence knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nontraditional residency track and higher proportion of postmenopausal women in a practice (experiential learning) improve knowledge about HRT. Didactic training has no effect.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. hessr@umpc.edu
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Chung Chou Joyce
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Conigliaro
authors.forename: D Michael
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Elnicki
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McNeil
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007858:Learning; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health