Impact of two types of Internet-based information on medical students' performance in an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE).
OBJECTIVE
Internet-based information has potential to impact physician-patient relationships. This study examined medical students' interpretation and response to such information presented during an objective clinical examination.


METHODS
Ninety-three medical students who had received training for a patient centered response to inquiries about alternative treatments completed a comprehensive examination in their third year. In 1 of 12 objective structured clinical exams, a SP presented Internet-based information on l-theanine - an amino acid available as a supplement. In Condition A, materials were from commercial websites; in Condition B, materials were from the PubMed website.


RESULTS
Analyses revealed no significant differences between Conditions in student performance or patient (SP) satisfaction. Students in Condition A rated the information less compelling than students in Condition B (z=-1.78, p=.037), and attributed less of the treatment's action to real vs. placebo effects (z=-1.61, p=.053).


CONCLUSIONS
Students trained in a patient centered response to inquiries about alternative treatment perceived the credibility of the two types of Internet-based information differently but were able to respond to the patient without jeopardizing patient satisfaction. Approach to information was superficial. Training in information evaluation may be warranted.
Elder
William G
WG
Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA. welder@email.uky.edu
Dassow
Paul L
PL
Bruckner
Geza G
GG
Stratton
Terry D
TD
D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013337:Students, Medical