Utilizing Structured Worksheets to Strengthen Resident Teaching on the OB/GYN Clerkship

Objective To determine if structured worksheets can aid resident teaching on the obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) clerkship. Design We developed structured worksheets to aid residents in teaching medical students. In this pilot study, we measured the impact of the material by conducting end of clerkship focus groups between October 2017 to June 2018 and administering surveys to medical students who had recently completed the clerkship. We performed analyses of the focus group transcriptions for positive and negative themes and analyzed questionnaire data utilizing unpaired t-test and chi-square test to determine whether resident use of structured worksheets influenced student perception of resident teaching quality. Setting Medical students rotated at either an academically affiliated public safety-net hospital or tertiary maternity care hospital. Participants Medical students completing the OB/GYN clerkship volunteered to participate. Results A total of 37 students participated in focus groups and completed the survey. Focus group comments revealed a generally positive attitude towards the structured worksheets. The survey data revealed that this material helped to facilitate student’s clinical reasoning skills and assisted residents in using questions to effectively teach. Conclusions Structured worksheets can aid resident teaching on the OB/GYN clerkship. Students perceived the teaching material most favorably when residents utilized the material in a purposeful and timely manner. Effective resident use of structured worksheets on the OB/GYN clerkship can strengthen a culture that promotes student learning.