Menopausal medicine clinic:  an innovative approach to enhancing the effectiveness of medical education.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a menopause clinic to enhance trainees' medical knowledge.


METHODS
Between July 2004 and May 2007, 73 resident physicians completed a rotation that included a weekly menopause clinic and completion of a pretest and posttest examination. Each test contained questions on topics covering menopause, perimenopause, and general women's health. At the end of each testing session, a total score and a menopause score were given.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) pretest menopause score and total score were 63.2% (13.3%) and 63.7% (11.3%), respectively. The mean posttest increase in the menopause score was 14%, with a median score increase of 10.2% (P < 0.0001). The posttest results ranged from a maximum decrease of 7.8% to a maximum increase of 47.1%. The mean increase in the total score was 13%, with a median increase of 10.7% (P < 0.0001). For the posttest total score, the range went from -7.2% to 39.3%. There was no correlation between the score changes and the number of clinic sessions attended, the resident specialties (obstetrics/gynecology vs non-obstetrics/gynecology), the level of training (postgraduate year 1 or 2), or the examination order (test A vs test B taken first).


CONCLUSIONS
Menopause clinics can add to resident physician knowledge about menopause-related matters. Menopause clinics may help educate future physicians in their ability to care for postmenopausal women.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Reading, PA 19612-6052, USA. Jiangx@readinghospital.org
Xuezhi
X
Jiang
Shiv
S
Sab
Sharon
S
Diamen
Peter F
PF
Schnatz
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016387:Women's Health