title: Enhanced didactic methods of smoking cessation training for medical students--a randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is essential that medical students are adequately trained in smoking cessation. A web-based tobacco abstinence training program might supplement or replace traditional didactic methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-hundred and forty third-year medical students were all provided access to a self-directed web-based learning module on smoking cessation. Thereafter, they were randomly allocated to attend 1 of 4 education approaches: (a) web-based training using the same tool, (b) lecture, (c) role playing, and (d) supervised interaction with real patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Success of the intervention was measured in an objective structured clinical examination. Scores were highest in Group 4 (35.9 ± 8.7), followed by Groups 3 (35.7 ± 6.5), 2 (33.5 ± 9.4), and 1 (28.0 ± 9.6; p = .007). Students in Groups 4 (60.7%) and 3 (57.7%) achieved adequate counseling skills more frequently than those in Groups 2 (34.8%) and 1 (30%; p = .043). There was no difference in the scores reflecting theoretical knowledge (p = .439). Self-assessment of cessation skills and students' satisfaction with training was significantly better in Groups 3 and 4 as compared with 1 and 2 (p < .001 and p = .006, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Role playing and interaction with real patients are equally efficient and both more powerful learning tools than web-based learning with or without a lecture.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine and Respiratory Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. dstolz@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Daiana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stolz
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Langewitz
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pierer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tschudi
authors.forename: Ching T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: S'ng
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Strobel
authors.forename: André P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Perruchoud
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fagerström
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tamm
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012380:Role; D012647:Self-Assessment; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*