Preparation for clinical clerkships: an evaluation of a continuity clinical experience for M.D./Ph.D. students

Abstract

Introduction: We compared knowledge and self-perceptions among three groups: M.D/Ph.D. students who attended a continuity clinic; M.D./Ph.D. students who did not attend; and M.D. students. Methods: Group means from a test and a validated questionnaire were compared by ANOVA. Scheffe tests compared pairs of groups. Narrative comments were grouped according to key words and themes. Results: Eighty-two (20 M.D./Ph.D. clinic, 13 M.D./Ph.D. non-clinic and 49 M.D.) students participated. The average age was 26. The M.D. group had more females. ANOVA showed significant differences in all questionnaire categories between the M.D./Ph.D. clinic group and other groups (p< .05). Analysis of paired groups showed a significant difference between the M.D./Ph.D. clinic group and the others (p<.05). The test mean was 20.2 for the M.D/ Ph.D. clinic group, 18.4 for the M.D/Ph.D. non-clinic group, and 21.5 for the M.D. group (p<.05). Controlling for gender, questionnaire results were similar but the test score p value was not significant. M.D. respondents were anxious about appearing incompetent while the M.D/ Ph.D. groups worried about forgetting basic science.Conclustions: Although the M.D./Ph.D. clinic students had test scores similar to the other two groups, they perceived they maintained or improved their skills and confidence in caring for patients.