TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of two types of Internet-based information on medical students' performance in an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE)
AU - Elder, William G.
AU - Dassow, Paul L.
AU - Bruckner, Geza G.
AU - Stratton, Terry D.
PY - 2009/7
Y1 - 2009/7
N2 - Objectives: Internet-based information has potential to impact physician-patient relationships. This study examined medical students' interpretation and response to such information presented during an objective clinical examination. Method: Ninety-three medical students who had received training for a patient centered response to inquiries about alternative treatments completed a comprehensive examination in their third year. In 1 of 12 objective structured clinical exams, a SP presented Internet-based information on l-theanine - an amino acid available as a supplement. In Condition A, materials were from commercial websites; in Condition B, materials were from the PubMed website. Results: Analyses revealed no significant differences between Conditions in student performance or patient (SP) satisfaction. Students in Condition A rated the information less compelling than students in Condition B (z = -1.78, p = .037), and attributed less of the treatment's action to real vs. placebo effects (z = -1.61, p = .053). Conclusions: Students trained in a patient centered response to inquiries about alternative treatment perceived the credibility of the two types of Internet-based information differently but were able to respond to the patient without jeopardizing patient satisfaction. Approach to information was superficial. Training in information evaluation may be warranted.
AB - Objectives: Internet-based information has potential to impact physician-patient relationships. This study examined medical students' interpretation and response to such information presented during an objective clinical examination. Method: Ninety-three medical students who had received training for a patient centered response to inquiries about alternative treatments completed a comprehensive examination in their third year. In 1 of 12 objective structured clinical exams, a SP presented Internet-based information on l-theanine - an amino acid available as a supplement. In Condition A, materials were from commercial websites; in Condition B, materials were from the PubMed website. Results: Analyses revealed no significant differences between Conditions in student performance or patient (SP) satisfaction. Students in Condition A rated the information less compelling than students in Condition B (z = -1.78, p = .037), and attributed less of the treatment's action to real vs. placebo effects (z = -1.61, p = .053). Conclusions: Students trained in a patient centered response to inquiries about alternative treatment perceived the credibility of the two types of Internet-based information differently but were able to respond to the patient without jeopardizing patient satisfaction. Approach to information was superficial. Training in information evaluation may be warranted.
KW - Alternative medicine
KW - Evidence-based medicine
KW - Internet-based information
KW - Patient counseling
KW - Physician-patient relationship
KW - Student-evaluation
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U2 - 10.1016/j.pec.2008.12.014
DO - 10.1016/j.pec.2008.12.014
M3 - Article
C2 - 19157760
AN - SCOPUS:67349142191
SN - 0738-3991
VL - 76
SP - 5
EP - 9
JO - Patient Education and Counseling
JF - Patient Education and Counseling
IS - 1
ER -