How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the Answer
Abstract Introduction This small-group, case-based exercise is geared towards medical students on their pediatric clerkship. The goal of this session is to teach students how to re-frame their clinical questions into a format that allows for more effective and efficient searching of the literature....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Association of American Medical Colleges
2012-08-01
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| Series: | MedEdPORTAL |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9213 |
| _version_ | 1819364575384961024 |
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| author | Neha Shah Susan Keller |
| author_facet | Neha Shah Susan Keller |
| author_sort | Neha Shah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction This small-group, case-based exercise is geared towards medical students on their pediatric clerkship. The goal of this session is to teach students how to re-frame their clinical questions into a format that allows for more effective and efficient searching of the literature. The case was created based on previous experience with questions students and residents commonly had during their pediatric inpatient month. Methods The session is provided once a month as part of the third-year medical student core lecture series during their inpatient pediatrics rotation, with a medical librarian serving as a cofacilitator. The session contains an introduction, a review of content (PICO, PubMed Limits, Medical Subject Headings, and clinical queries), and a small-group activity where groups work to construct a PICO question, report out, and write-up. Results We implemented this resource with 55 learners over six sessions. We evaluated the resource by using a 5-point Likert scale where 1 = poor and 5 = outstanding. The overall teaching effectiveness of the module was rated as a 4.9 out of 5. When asked what they liked best, learners provided feedback such as “Group activity, interactive” and “The interactive component—you learn much more doing the search yourself. Learners were most engaged during “Small group work, when I was actually doing the search” and “Discussion of everyone's case and tips given by the teachers.” Overall comments included “Great discussions of various sources” and “Very engaging and effective teaching format.” Discussion We initially used a lecture format in which we reviewed use of advanced PubMed features with very little interaction from the learners. Based on feedback and evaluations, we decided to overhaul the design of our session to allow the students a more active and engaged role. Additionally, we were able to secure our institution's computer training room, which allows each learner to have their own computer for the session. Since the change in our format, we have seen a significant increase in learner satisfaction with the activity. |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2374-8265 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T23:01:07Z |
| publishDate | 2012-08-01 |
| publisher | Association of American Medical Colleges |
| record_format | Article |
| series | MedEdPORTAL |
| spelling | doaj.art-4dab553ea5374594b350b3ace0d7da002022-12-21T16:35:07ZengAssociation of American Medical CollegesMedEdPORTAL2374-82652012-08-01810.15766/mep_2374-8265.9213How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the AnswerNeha Shah0Susan Keller11 Children's National Medical Center2 Children's National Medical CenterAbstract Introduction This small-group, case-based exercise is geared towards medical students on their pediatric clerkship. The goal of this session is to teach students how to re-frame their clinical questions into a format that allows for more effective and efficient searching of the literature. The case was created based on previous experience with questions students and residents commonly had during their pediatric inpatient month. Methods The session is provided once a month as part of the third-year medical student core lecture series during their inpatient pediatrics rotation, with a medical librarian serving as a cofacilitator. The session contains an introduction, a review of content (PICO, PubMed Limits, Medical Subject Headings, and clinical queries), and a small-group activity where groups work to construct a PICO question, report out, and write-up. Results We implemented this resource with 55 learners over six sessions. We evaluated the resource by using a 5-point Likert scale where 1 = poor and 5 = outstanding. The overall teaching effectiveness of the module was rated as a 4.9 out of 5. When asked what they liked best, learners provided feedback such as “Group activity, interactive” and “The interactive component—you learn much more doing the search yourself. Learners were most engaged during “Small group work, when I was actually doing the search” and “Discussion of everyone's case and tips given by the teachers.” Overall comments included “Great discussions of various sources” and “Very engaging and effective teaching format.” Discussion We initially used a lecture format in which we reviewed use of advanced PubMed features with very little interaction from the learners. Based on feedback and evaluations, we decided to overhaul the design of our session to allow the students a more active and engaged role. Additionally, we were able to secure our institution's computer training room, which allows each learner to have their own computer for the session. Since the change in our format, we have seen a significant increase in learner satisfaction with the activity.http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9213eHealthPubMedClinical QuestionsBackground QuestionsForeground QuestionsPICO |
| spellingShingle | Neha Shah Susan Keller How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the Answer MedEdPORTAL eHealth PubMed Clinical Questions Background Questions Foreground Questions PICO |
| title | How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the Answer |
| title_full | How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the Answer |
| title_fullStr | How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the Answer |
| title_full_unstemmed | How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the Answer |
| title_short | How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the Answer |
| title_sort | how to formulate a clinical question and effectively search for the answer |
| topic | eHealth PubMed Clinical Questions Background Questions Foreground Questions PICO |
| url | http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9213 |
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