title: Implementing smokeless tobacco instruction into medical student education: addressing the gap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the unique health and epidemiological aspects of smokeless tobacco use, medical education regarding this topic is virtually lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive tobacco curriculum that includes smokeless tobacco education. A thorough review of the literature was carried out to develop includes 8 modules in basic and clinical sciences that are evaluated by pretest/posttest increases in knowledge as well as standardized patient encounters and process evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pretest/posttest data indicate that students increased knowledge on specific smokeless tobacco questions. Students also scored well on interactions with standardized patients using the Tobacco Intervention Risk Factor Interview Scale, a validated instrument to assess medical students' tobacco counseling skills. Process evaluation data indicate that modules were generally well received.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This Web-based, comprehensive curriculum-the only curriculum we are aware of treating the topic of smokeless tobacco use-appears to be effective and well received. Smokeless tobacco should be included in medical education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. jspangle@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spangler
authors.forename: Kristie Long
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crandall
authors.forename: Chan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Marla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: MacRae
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vaden
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marion
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation; D055815:Young Adult