title: A Gram Stain Hands-On Workshop Enhances First Year Medical Students' Technique Competency in Comprehension and Memorization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laboratory diagnostic tests have an essential role in patient care, and the increasing number of medical and health professions schools focusing on teaching laboratory medicine to pre-clinical students reflects this importance. However, data validating the pedagogical methods that best influence students' comprehension and interpretation of diagnostic tests have not been well described. The Gram stain is a simple yet significant and frequently used diagnostic test in the clinical setting that helps classify bacteria into two major groups, Gram positive and negative, based on their cell wall structure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used this technique to assess which educational strategies may improve students' learning and competency in medical diagnostic techniques. Hence, in this randomized controlled study, we compared the effectiveness of several educational strategies (e.g. workshop, discussion, or lecture) in first year medical students' competency in comprehension and interpretation of the Gram stain procedure. We demonstrated that a hands-on practical workshop significantly enhances students' competency in memorization and overall comprehension of the technique. Interestingly, most students irrespective of their cohort showed difficulty in answering Gram stain-related analytical questions, suggesting that more emphasis should be allocated by the instructors to clearly explain the interpretation of the diagnostic test results to students in medical and health professional schools.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This proof of principle study highlights the need of practical experiences on laboratory medical techniques during pre-clinical training to facilitate future medical doctors' and healthcare professionals' basic understanding and competency in diagnostic testing for better patient care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Delfiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Charles S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Pavia
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D032882:Comprehension; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005840:Gentian Violet; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D010619:Phenazines; D013337:Students, Medical; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C035863:Gram's stain; D010619:Phenazines; D005840:Gentian Violet