Medical Education > Current Research Studies: Tobacco Cessation Education

Current Research Studies: Tobacco Cessation Education

For further information contact Jon.Veloski@jefferson.edu

As part of Pennsylvania's tobacco control plan, Jefferson Medical College received funding in order to improve medical students' participation in treatment. A four-part approach to evaluation is currently being developed, which will enable educators to assess the impact of the tobacco cessation program on students' knowledge and attitudes.

Knowledge Measurement of knowledge before and after the internal medicine clerkship will serve as the cornerstone of the evaluation. CRMEHC researchers have developed several forms of a test using multiple-choice and uncued written examinations.

Attitudes and Opinions A new questionnaire based on items from the Pennsylvania AHEC's Physician Tobacco Education Survey (Chung et al, 2003)

Patient Encounter Log System Students' clinical encounters in core clerkships at Jefferson are tracked systematically using handheld computers. The PELS data collection system will be modified to collect two unique data elements for every patient encounter reported by students. (See: http://www.jefferson.edu/jmc/crmehc/medu.cexperiences.cfm )

Clinical Skills Assessment Items related to patients' history of tobacco use and the students' decision to counsel on smoking avoidance or cessation will be embedded in Jefferson's clinical skills assessment using standardized patients. The new clinical skills assessment will be implemented as a comprehensive evaluation for third-year students at the end of the 2003-2004 academic year.

References

Spangler JG, George G, Foley KL, Crandall SJ. Tobacco intervention training current efforts and gaps in US medical schools. JAMA . 2002; 288(9):1102-1109.

Veloski JJ, Barzansky B, Nash DB, et al. Medical student education in managed care settings: Beyond HMOs. JAMA . 1996;276(9):667-671.

Chung TWH, Lam TH, Cherkin DC. Knowledge and attitudes about smoking in medical students before and after a tobacco seminar. Medical Education 2003;30:290-295.