Implementation and evaluation of a novel operating room curriculum for the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship.
OBJECTIVE
Primary objective is to estimate the effect of an operating room (OR) curriculum on obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) students' clinical knowledge related to the OR. Secondary objective is to estimate the effect of the curriculum on student confidence and satisfaction related to the OR experience.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study of 6 Ob/Gyn clerkship groups from September 2011 to June 2012. Three control groups received usual teaching and 3 intervention groups received the OR curriculum plus usual teaching. The primary outcome was the measurement of student knowledge using preclerkship and postclerkship questionnaires. Student confidence and satisfaction related to the OR experience were also measured using questionnaires. Standard clerkship evaluations were reviewed to rate the quality of faculty teaching. Between-group scores were compared using Student t test. A total of 26 students per group were needed to detect a 20% difference in between-group change in clinical knowledge (α = 0.05, 80% power).


METHODS
Women and Infants' Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, a tertiary care teaching hospital for the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.


METHODS
Ob/Gyn clerkship students.


RESULTS
Overall, 70 students were enrolled-68 completed evaluation measures immediately after clerkship and 27 at 6 months after clerkship. More intervention subjects were fourth-year students (p = 0.03) and had completed surgery clerkships (p = 0.003). At baseline, groups demonstrated similar clinical knowledge and confidence (p > 0.05). Although there was no difference between groups in knowledge scores immediately after clerkship, at 6 months, the intervention group had greater retention in clinical knowledge scores (1.2 ± 2.6 vs 3.5 ± 1.8; p = 0.02). At clerkship completion, intervention group was more satisfied with student-faculty interaction (mean sum score = 14.7 ± 3.5 vs 16.9 ± 3.0; p = 0.01). On review of standard clerkship evaluations, intervention subjects gave significantly higher scores for quality of faculty teaching (3.82 ± 1.18 vs 4.39 ± 0.67; p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Our OR curriculum improved knowledge retention, increased student satisfaction with student-faculty interactions in the OR, and improved faculty teaching evaluation.
Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island. Electronic address: bhampton@wihri.org.
Brittany Star
BS
Hampton
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island.
Christina A
CA
Raker
Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island.
Vivian W
VW
Sung
D000328:Adult; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000458:organization & administration; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; clerkship; curriculum; medical student; operating room