Improving residents’ teaching skills: A program evaluation of residents as teachers course

Abstract

Background: The role of residents as teachers is recognized as an important part of medical education. However, residents may not possess the practical skills needed to teach medical students effectively.

Aim: In response to a Liaison Committee on Medical Education citation concerning surgery residents’ teaching skills, the University of Louisville School of Medicine instituted a campus-wide residents as teachers program based on the bringing education and service together curriculum.

Methods: This evaluation plan is grounded on Kirkpatrick's four levels model. Levels 1 and 2 data included post-session learner questionnaires (2007 and 2008) and open-ended facilitator questionnaires (2008). Levels 3 and 4 data included third year medical students’ responses to CourseEval® questions on residents as teachers (2005–2006 and 2007–2008) and data from third year medical student focus groups (2008).

Results: Levels 1 and 2 data analysis showed statistically significant improvements from session to session in Year I and significant improvements between Years I and II. Levels 3 and 4 data analysis showed third year students’ perceptions of most residents as teachers remained high and improved significantly in the surgery clerkship.

Conclusion: Short-term and long-term measures show this curriculum to be successful for an interdisciplinary group of residents.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Ostapchuk

MICHAEL OSTAPCHUK, MS Ed, MD, is an Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Associate Professor, and Residency Program Director of Family and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.

Pradip D. Patel

PRADIP D. PATEL, MD, is an Associate Professor and Associate Vice Chair for Medical Education, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.

Karen Hughes Miller

KAREN H. MILLER, MEd, PhD, is Director for Evaluation and Assessment, Office of Medical Education, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.

Craig H. Ziegler

CRAIG H. ZIEGLER, MS, is the Biostatistician, Office of Medical Education University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.

Ruth B. Greenberg

RUTH B. GREENBERG, PhD, is an Associate Dean for Medical Education, Office of Medical Education, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.

Gail Haynes

GAIL HAYNES, MEd, is Director of Academic Support, Office of Student Affairs, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.