title: Resident knowledge acquisition during a block conference series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study's objective was to determine whether attendance at lectures in a block conference format improves residents' knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen family medicine residents were tested on the content of 27 lectures delivered in a block conference format over a 6-month period. For each lecture, residents completed a pretest, a short-term posttest, and a long-term posttest (1--3 weeks and 1.5--6 months after each lecture, respectively).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean short-term posttest scores were 10.3 points higher for lecture attendees than nonattendees. Mean long-term posttest scores did not differ significantly for attendees (62.2) versus nonattendees (60.0).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attendance at didactic lectures in a block conference format did not improve resident knowledge over the long term. These results lead us to question the value of a block conference format and raise the possibility that resident learning might be better served by maximizing clinical experiences and minimizing time in conferences.
authors.affiliation: JFK Family Medicine Residency Program, Edison, NJ08818, USA. rwinter@solarishs.org
authors.forename: Robin O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picciano
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Birnberg
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Sung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Maryann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jacks
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milne
mesh_terms: D003226:Congresses as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009515:New Jersey