Authors: Penciner, Rick; Siddiqui, Sanam¹; Lee, Shirley²

Source: Academic Emergency Medicine, Volume 14, Number 8, August 2007 , pp. 727-731(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

BackgroundTracking medical student clinical encounters is now an accreditation requirement of medical schools. The use of handheld computers for electronic logging is emerging as a strategy to achieve this.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the technical feasibility and student satisfaction of a novel electronic logging and feedback program using handheld computers in the emergency department.

MethodsThis was a survey study of fourth-year medical student satisfaction with the use of their handheld computers for electronic logging of patient encounters and procedures. The authors also included an analysis of this technology.

ResultsForty-six students participated in this pilot project, logging a total of 2,930 encounters. Students used the logs an average of 7.6 shifts per rotation, logging an average of 8.3 patients per shift. Twenty-nine students (63%) responded to the survey. Students generally found it easy to complete each encounter (69%) and easy to synchronize their handheld computer with the central server (83%). However, half the students (49%) never viewed the feedback Web site and most (79%) never reviewed their logs with their preceptors. Overall, only 17% found the logging program beneficial as a learning tool.

ConclusionsElectronic logging by medical students during their emergency medicine clerkship has many potential benefits as a method to document clinical encounters and procedures performed. However, this study demonstrated poor compliance and dissatisfaction with the process. In order for electronic logging using handheld computers to be a beneficial educational tool for both learners and educators, obstacles to effective implementation need to be addressed.

Keywords: handheld computers; clinical clerkship; medical education; procedure logs; emergency medicine

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1197/j.aem.2007.04.013

Affiliations: 1: University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2: Department of Family & Community Medicine

Publication date: 2007-08-01

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