Profession

Medical students' cardiac exam skills equal to faculty physicians

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 17, 2006

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

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.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn