Abstract
Background. Medical student colorectal cancer prevention education is crucial to improving cancer screening rates. Methods. We surveyed 146 medical students about their knowledge, confidence, and experience with colorectal cancer screening. We then used a multivariate general linear model to assess the relationships between these variables and colorectal cancer screening skills as measured in a standardized patient evaluation. Results. Type and amount of experience providing colorectal cancer screening counseling predicted student performance in the standardized patient encounter, although knowledge and confidence did not. Conclusions. Increased practice performing cancer screening may improve medical students' ability to implement cancer prevention strategies with patients. J Cancer Educ. 2008; 23:209–213.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute (R25 CA96975). The authors thank Paul Schroy for help with survey items; Bernie Miller, Jewel Smally, and Ann Magdalen for help with data collection; and Sebastian Uijtdehaage for advice on statistical analyses and Kathleen Kerr for editorial assistance.
Notes
Supported by National Institutes of Health R25 CCA96975.