Medical education
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical skills education: outcomes of relationships between junior medical students, senior peers and simulated patients.
Peer-assisted learning (PAL) has been reported to have educational benefits in cross-year, small-group teaching in other contexts. Accordingly, we explored whether senior medical students are effective tutors for their junior peers in clinical skills education, and how the participants in the learning triad (tutors, learners and simulated patients [SPs]) perceive the learning environment created in PAL. ⋯ With appropriate support, volunteer Year 6 student tutors are as effective as graduate doctors for small-group structured tutorials in clinical skills. Educational relationships were forged between all participants in the learning triad.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does ultrasound training boost Year 1 medical student competence and confidence when learning abdominal examination?
Learning to perform physical examination of the abdomen is a challenge for medical students. Medical educators need to find engaging, effective tools to help students acquire competence and confidence in abdominal examination techniques. This study evaluates the added value of ultrasound training when Year 1 medical students learn abdominal examination. ⋯ Ultrasound training as an adjunct to traditional means of teaching abdominal examination improves students' physical examination technique after students have acquired skills with basic examination manoeuvres.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does teaching style matter? A randomised trial of group discussion versus lectures in orthopaedic undergraduate teaching.
Educational theory suggests that lectures may not be the best way to impart knowledge to students. The aim of this study was to compare the use of didactic lectures with that of interactive discussion sessions in undergraduate teaching of orthopaedics and trauma. ⋯ We found that interactive teaching styles are more popular than didactic lectures in undergraduate orthopaedic and trauma teaching. We also found some evidence that knowledge retention is better following an interactive teaching style.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
An investigation of medical student reactions to feedback: a randomised controlled trial.
Medical educators have indicated that feedback is one of the main catalysts required for performance improvement. However, medical students appear to be persistently dissatisfied with the feedback that they receive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate learning outcomes and perceptions in students who received feedback compared to those who received general compliments. ⋯ Student satisfaction is not an accurate measure of the quality of feedback. It appears that satisfaction ratings respond to praise more than feedback, while learning is more a function of feedback.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A comparison of the effects of problem-based learning and lecturing on the development of students' critical thinking.
Educational approaches are thought to have facilitative or hindering effects on students' critical thinking development. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) and lecturing approaches on the development of students' critical thinking. ⋯ There were significant differences in the development of students' critical thinking dispositions between those who undertook the PBL and lecture courses, respectively.