title: Workplace visits versus case studies in undergraduate occupational medicine teaching.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness and acceptability of two active approaches in teaching occupational medicine to undergraduate medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two training formats were compared: in 2007, fourth year students were sent on a workplace visit, and the next-year group discussed real life case studies. Students' perceptions were obtained by assessment questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both the groups, all learning objectives were equally achieved with one exception. Awareness of risk factors and preventive measures was significantly higher in the group with workplace visits. However, students rated the case scenarios as more relevant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Until now, many training methods have not been fully investigated. Our study demonstrates that depending on the interest, experiences, and resources of teachers, students, and universities, both worksite visits and case studies can be effectively applied in teaching occupational medicine.
authors: Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Belgium. lutgart.braeckman@ugent.be
authors: Lutgart
authors: L
authors: Braeckman
authors: Micheline
authors: M
authors: Bekaert
authors: Luc
authors: L
authors: Cobbaut
authors: Maurits
authors: M
authors: De Ridder
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Glazemakers
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Kiss
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000379:methods; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000193:education*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace