A randomized controlled study comparing educational outcomes of examination room versus conference room staffing.
BACKGROUND
This prospective randomized controlled study examined outpatient clinical teaching in the presence of the patient.


METHODS
In 2006, patients in ambulatory internal medicine clinics at the University of Iowa were randomized to have faculty-learner presentations either in their presence or in the conference room. Staffing encounters were timed and faculty, learners and patients completed postencounter surveys.


RESULTS
Participation included 254 patients and 12 faculty. Comparison of patient encounters randomized to exam room (n = 120) or conference room (n = 134) staffing demonstrated increased time spent with the patient in exam room staffing (91% vs. 54% of total staffing time; p < .0001) but no significant differences in mean total staffing time. Patients, learners, and faculty preferred exam room staffing.


CONCLUSIONS
Concerns about time efficiency and patient and learner satisfaction during exam room staffing were not supported. This approach may allow attending physicians to maximize billing levels while increasing learner/patient involvement.
Petersen
Kara
K
UI Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Rosenbaum
Marcy E
ME
Kreiter
Clarence D
CD
Thomas
Alexandra
A
Vogelgesang
Scott A
SA
Lawry
George V
GV
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007484:Iowa; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D010808:Physical Examination; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies