title: [Ankle-brachial index measurement: Methods of teaching in French medical schools and review of literature].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ankle-brachial index (ABI) can be measured to diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD) and used as an independent marker of cardiovascular risk. What are the teaching methods for ABI in French medical schools? What are the data in the literature showing the link between and educational interventions and ABI competency?
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire to assess how ABI is taught in the second and third cycles of French medical schools was sent to vascular medicine chairs of each faculty. A systematic review of the literature in PubMed was performed including articles that studied the effect of an educational intervention on this competency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-five percent of vascular medicine chairs (teachers) responded. ABI was taught in the second cycle in all medical schools. In 75% of schools, ABI was taught as part of lectures on PAD. Practical training was implemented in the second cycle in 20% of medical schools and in the third cycle in 60%. Teachers are statistically less satisfied with their way of teaching in the second cycle compared with the third cycle. Four articles have studied the effect of an educational intervention. Practical training improves student performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of vascular medicine teachers used lectures to teach ABI. This type of teaching does not favor the development of this medical competency. The best way of teaching this competency should be addressed. Homogenization in the way ABI is taught would be necessary at national and international levels.
authors: Imagerie Cœur-Vaisseaux, CHU, hôpital Pontchaillou, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35033 Rennes, France; Inserm centre d'investigation clinique CIC 1414, 35043 Rennes, France. Electronic address: guillaume.mahe@chu-rennes.fr.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Mahé
mesh_terms: D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D002309:Cardiology / Q000193:education*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D012577:Schools, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Ankle-brachial index; Artériopathie oblitérante des membres inférieurs; Competency; Compétence; Educational measurement; Entraînement; Index de pression systolique de cheville; Mesure éducationnelle; Peripheral artery disease; Training