Associations Between Medical Student Log Data and Clerkship Learning Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Largely due to regulatory requirements, medical students increasingly document patient encounters in logs. Prior studies demonstrated value in achieving course objectives but not regarding objective learning outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to assess the associations between students’ log data and clerkship outcomes. Methods: We assessed ambulatory, internal medicine-pediatrics clerkship logs. Students recorded patients’ diagnoses, preceptor's teaching content and performing histories and physicals (H&P). We examined associations between log data and National Board of Medical Examiners Subject Exams (NBME), Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE), and clinical evaluations. Results: All 272 students completed logs (M diagnoses = 146.5, SD = 24.9). In univariate analysis number of diagnoses, preceptors’ teaching patient management and performing H&P independently correlated with OSCE scores (r = .13–.24, p < .05). NBME scores correlated with diagnoses, performing H&P independently (r = .13–.18, p < .05). Teaching patient management, diagnoses, performing H&P independently were associated with clinical evaluations (all ps < .05). Regressions demonstrated that performing physicals independently was associated with NBME and OSCE scores (p < .05, R ² = .03 and .05, respectively). Teaching disease management and pediatric diagnoses were associated with clinical evaluations (p < .05) in medicine and pediatrics, respectively. Conclusions: Aspects of teaching, increased clinical involvement, and student autonomy were associated with clerkship performance.

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant from the Shadyside Hospital Foundation.