A randomized trial comparing 2 outpatient educational settings for clerkship students: private practice office vs hospital clinic.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare medical students' experiences in 2 outpatient educational settings.


METHODS
For their 2-week ambulatory rotation, all 76 medical students were randomized to either a hospital clinic or a private office. Seventy students completed the survey.


RESULTS
When compared to students working in a private office setting, hospital clinic students reported more breast exams, speculum exams, uterine fundal height measurements, wet mount reading, contraceptive counseling, and first obstetrical and gynecologic patient visits. Students in the hospital clinic were more likely to report having educationally valuable opportunities to interview and examine patients and to discuss the differential diagnosis with their preceptor. Nevertheless, medical students randomized to the private office were more likely to report considering obstetrics and gynecology as a career.


CONCLUSIONS
The hospital clinic provided students with more clinical experiences. Medical students assigned to a private office, however, were more likely to consider obstetrics and gynecology as a career.
Abdessamad
Hasan M
HM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Ashby
Karen L
KL
Greenfield
Marjorie
M
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011331:Private Practice; D014481:United States