Profession
Medical students' cardiac exam skills equal to faculty physicians
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 17, 2006
Third- and fourth-year medical students perform cardiac exams on par with practicing physicians, but researchers found physicians skills in this area actually might decline after years of practice, according to a recently released study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Researchers said the results have important implications for medical decision-making, patient safety, cost-effective care and continuing medical education. They said practicing physicians might need audio and visual training and testing throughout their careers.
A 50-question, computer-based multimedia test was used to evaluate 860 participants at sites across the United States and Venezuela between 2000 and 2004. The study found the average competency scores of third- and fourth-year medical students on a computer-based multimedia test of cardiac exam skills were the same as medical residents and practicing physicians, including faculty physicians.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/04/17/prbf0417.htm.