Design and Implementation of a System-Based Course in Musculoskeletal Medicine for Medical Students

Abstract

The main features of the course were: (1) an emphasis on both cognitive and process-based knowledge; (2) more contact hours and broader content than in previously described courses in musculoskeletal medicine; (3) the use of small groups to focus on problem-solving and physical examination competencies; (4) basic-science content directly related to clinical goals. These features might be used at other institutions that employ a system-based curriculum for the preclinical years to help improve competence in musculoskeletal medicine.

Pre-internship Nigerian medical graduates lack basic musculoskeletal competency

“…Such action made an impact in the USA [20]. Bilderback noted a 77.8% pass rate after six weeks of a special system-based programme in orthopaedics [21]; 31.3% of Canadian medical schools have a mandatory clinical exposure to musculoskeletal education [2], unlike the Nigerian situation in which it is mandatory in all schools in our study. The corresponding authors' medical school has a ten day slot for orthopaedic education.…”

“…The range of scores was from 7% to 67%, with a mean of 28.9±10.6 and a median of 29 [interquartile range (IQR) [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. The range of mean scores for each question was from 1.8% (question 11) to 89.9% (question 10) ( Table 1).…”

Musculoskeletal education in US medical schools: lessons from the past and suggestions for the future

“…Recently they reported on the evolution of this 40-year-old course [35], and identified the substantial use of small group teaching as integral to its success. Several other institutions have reported on their curricular modifications in the past decade [36][37][38]. As an example, Saleh, et al described the introduction of a second-year musculoskeletal sequence at the University of Minnesota [39].…”

“…Typically, results are compared to historical controls (before institution of the curriculum), often due to ethical concerns regarding the withholding of an educational intervention from part of a class. Bilderback, et al demonstrated improved scores on the Friedman-Bernstein test [36]. Saleh, et al found improved student satisfaction and retention of physical examination skills after 3-4 months [39].…”

An orthopaedic elective for pediatric residents

“…Integrated education and musculoskeletal rotations have been shown to increase physician's knowledge and confidence in treating musculoskeletal complaints [6,19,20]. However, there is minimal literature to support this finding in pediatric residents.…”