Incorporating interactive workshops into bedside teaching: completion of a multi-modal rheumatology rotation significantly increases internal medicine residents’ competency and comfort with comprehensive knee examinations

Abstract

Background Studies have elucidated the lack of competency in musculoskeletal (MSK) examination skills amongst trainees. Various modalities have been studied, however, there remains a dearth of literature regarding the effectiveness of bedside teaching versus dedicated workshops. Our aim was to determine if incorporating a workshop into a rheumatology rotation would be effective in increasing medicine residents’ competency and comfort with knee examinations when compared to the rotation alone. Methods Over 16 months, rotators were randomized to workshop plus rotation versus rotation alone. Participants were tested on their knee examination skills using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Surveys were administered assessing to what degree the rotation was beneficial. Comfort and helpfulness were measured using a 5-point Likert scale. Paired and independent samples t-tests were used for comparisons. Results Fifty-seven residents participated. For both groups, there were improvements between pre- and post-OSCE scores (workshop p < 0.001, no workshop p = 0.003), and levels of comfort with examination (workshop p < 0.001, no workshop p < 0.001). When comparing groups, there were differences favoring the workshop in post-OSCE score (p = < 0.001), mean change in OSCE score (p < 0.001) and mean change in comfort with knee examination (p = 0.025). Conclusion An elective in rheumatology augmented residents’ MSK competency and comfort. Incorporation of a workshop further increased knowledge, skills and comfort with diagnosis and treatment. Current educational research focuses on alternatives to traditional methods. This study provides evidence that a multi-modal approach, combining traditional bedside and interactive models, is of benefit.

Impact of hospital internships on success in university summative objective structured clinical examinations: Large-scale experience in a French medical school

“…The particularity of the musculoskeletal examination was previously described in the literature. In this domain, the addition of an interactive workshop with a focus on clinical examination of the knee in the rheumatology rotation of medicine residents led to significantly improved OSCEs performances [ 15 ].…”

Success in summative objective structured clinical examinations is associated with clinical training during medical studies

“…The particularity of the musculoskeletal examination was previously described in the literature. In this domain, the addition of an interactive workshop with a focus on clinical examination of the knee in the rheumatology rotation of medicine residents led to a signi cant improvement of OSCE performances [19].…”