MedEdPORTAL (Mar 2016)
Clinical Breast Exam Video and Presentation
Abstract
Abstract Introduction The clinical breast exam (CBE) evaluates breast-related complaints, detects palpable abnormalities, and permits physical characterization of the abnormalities. The competency of trainees to accurately perform all of the components of the CBE has been questioned. Findings from multiple studies indicate that many health care professionals believe they need, and are receptive to, more training on the CBE. Therefore, the goal of this project is to provide educational resources that are web accessible to trainees in order to increase their knowledge of the CBE and to demonstrate proper techniques. Methods Two complementary educational resources comprise our resource: a CBE video and video-segment embedded PowerPoint presentation. Having two resources reinforces learning in different ways, depending on the preferred learning style of the viewer. This learning tool is currently provided to third-year medical students on the surgery clerkship rotation at the Medical College of Wisconsin who have found both the PowerPoint and video to be helpful. Results A total of 121 students rotated on the clerkship over 8 months and completed a survey regarding this resource. Of various resources available for learning the CBE, the video and PowerPoint received the highest ratings (4.2 and 4.0, respectively, with 5 = highest rating), while reading the surgical text received the lowest rating (3.2). Confidence in performing a CBE in a clinical encounter improved from 2.6 to 3.5 (5 = exceptionally confident; p = .001) after viewing the video or PowerPoint. Discussion Whereas students have an opportunity to practice a CBE on a standardized patient model in their physical exam course, few students have an opportunity for performing it repeatedly throughout their medical school career in order to develop a minimum competency level and some degree of confidence. Therefore, the overall goal of this project is to provide a resource on the CBE that can be accessible to students at all levels of training to increase their knowledge of the CBE, demonstrate its proper performance, and provide a review of the basic science that supports the CBE.
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