Using a videotaped objective structured clinical examination to assess Knowledge In Smoking cessation amongst medical Students (the K.I.S.S. Study)

Abstract

Introduction: Brief smoking cessation advice from physicians is an effective smoking cessation intervention and is therefore an important skill medical students should master. We sought to assess the ability of medical students at the University of Auckland, New Zealand at different stages of their clinical education to provide accurate smoking cessation advice.

Methods: Seventy-five medical students participated in a five-minute videotaped objective structured clinical examination (VOSCE) with a standardized patient. We marked them using a 10-point scale based on the “5As” of smoking cessation, with a score of 7/10 or more considered a pass. We used the general inductive method to analyze student feedback for key themes.

Results: The mean score was 5.81/10, with only 15 (20%) students reaching the pass mark. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: students had breadth of knowledge but lacked depth; their preference was to prescribe medications; and students were unable to identify where further smoking cessation support could be sourced.

Discussion and conclusion: University of Auckland medical students performed poorly when giving smoking cessation advice. Inclusion of smoking cessation education in the undergraduate curriculum is required to ensure all graduates are capable of providing evidence-based and accurate cessation advice.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the National Institute for Health Innovation for providing administrative support during the project.

Ethical approval

Ethics approval was sought through the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee (UAHPEC). The UAHPEC approved the research for a period of three years from the 27th August 2015. More information can be found through UAHPEC by citing project number 015381.

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Notes on contributors

Dr Nathanael C. C. Lucas, MBChB, is a recently graduated junior doctor from the University of Auckland, passionate about medical education, teaching, and curriculum improvement.

Associate Professor Natalie Walker, DPH, MSc, BSc (Hons), is a clinical trialist and epidemiologist, leader of the Addiction Research program, at the National Institute for Health Innovation, The University of Auckland. Her interest is phase III community-based clinical trials in smoking cessation, alcohol consumption, and cannabis use.

Professor Chris Bullen, BHB, MBChB, DObst, DCH, MPH (Hons1), PhD, FAFPHM, FNZCPHM, is the director of The National Institute for Health Innovation at The University of Auckland. His research interests focus primarily on tobacco control and innovative smoking cessation interventions.