Resident knowledge acquisition during a block conference series.
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.
Winter
Robin O
RO
JFK Family Medicine Residency Program, Edison, NJ08818, USA. rwinter@solarishs.org
Picciano
Anne
A
Birnberg
Bruce
B
Chae
Mark
M
Chae
Sung
S
Jacks
Maryann
M
Metz
John
J
Milne
Charlene
C
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