Evaluation of current tobacco curriculum at 12 US medical schools.
BACKGROUND
Training medical students in tobacco prevention and treatment skills is critical if we are to have competent physicians prepared to address the grave levels of morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco use. Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Education at US Medical Schools (PACE), a National Cancer Institute funded project, was launched to assess and improve curriculum content and teaching at 12 US medical schools.


METHODS
The 2003 survey was completed by faculty and administrators. The survey was divided into four main sections: tobacco content and skills, curricular evaluation, faculty perceptions of barriers and promoters, and educational vision.


RESULTS
Thirty-six percent of all medical school courses had some tobacco-related content. Five schools provided a total of between 4 and 8 hours of teaching, 5 schools provided 10-13 hours, and 2 schools provided 17 and 18 hours of teaching. Of the 12 schools, 8 had fewer hours devoted to tobacco teaching in the clerkships than during the 1st-year courses. Only 2 schools noted any tobacco content for Obstetrics/Gynecology clerkships, and only 4 schools provided teaching in the pediatric setting (range 5-201 minutes).


CONCLUSIONS
In comparison to earlier studies, it appears that more tobacco content is now integrated into medical school courses. More improvement is necessary, however, particularly in tobacco use prevention. Institutions need to examine the role of faculty in prioritizing tobacco information and promoting a culture that builds competency in tobacco control and treatment.
Powers
Catherine A
CA
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA. powersoz@bu.edu
Zapka
Jane G
JG
Bognar
Bryan
B
Dube
Catherine
C
Hyder Ferry
Linda
L
Ferguson
Kristi J
KJ
O'donnell
Joseph F
JF
Rigotti
Nancy
N
Conley Thomson
Carey
C
White
Maryjo
M
Wilkerson
Luann
L
Geller
Alan C
AC
McIntosh
Scott
S
D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D012577:Schools, Medical; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States