What medical students value most during their clinical clerkships from department chairs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the qualities that medical students value most in department chairs during clinical clerkships. All fourth-year students were asked to complete an anonymous survey voluntarily. The students ranked nine qualities of a chair using a visual analog scale that ra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2003-09, Vol.189 (3), p.659-661
Main Authors: McIlwain-Dunivan, Gena C, Phelan, Sharon T, Rayburn, William F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administrative Personnel
Attitude
Biological and medical sciences
clinical chair
education
Gynecology - education
Gynecology - organization & administration
Health participants
Medical sciences
Medical students
Obstetrics - education
Obstetrics - organization & administration
Professional Role
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Students, Medical
Surveys and Questionnaires
Teaching
Universities - organization & administration
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the qualities that medical students value most in department chairs during clinical clerkships. All fourth-year students were asked to complete an anonymous survey voluntarily. The students ranked nine qualities of a chair using a visual analog scale that ranged from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” Also assessed was the student's level of contact with each department chair during the six core clerkships. Sixty-seven of 73 students (91.8%) completed the survey. Almost two thirds of the students (63%) had minimal or no contact with clinical chairs. The most desirable qualities of the department chair included advocating teaching by the residents and faculty, meeting with students (if possible, at the beginning, middle, and end of the clerkship), and participating in teaching in the classroom or clinic settings. Least important qualities involved knowing the student as a person and displaying an air of authority. The most common theme of written comments was that the department chair sets the tone for the department by advocating teaching and by encouraging respect for students. Medical students want clinical chairs to be visibly proactive toward teaching, meet with them periodically, and participate in teaching.
ISSN:0002-9378
1097-6868
DOI:10.1067/S0002-9378(03)00891-3