Increasing medical student exposure to musculoskeletal medicine: the initial impact of the Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group

• Published in: Advances in medical education and practice Vol. 8; pp. 551 - 558
• Main Authors: Mickelson, Dayne T, Louie, Philip K, Gundle, Kenneth R, Farnand, Alex W, Hanel, Douglas P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2017; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Bone surgery; Career development planning; Core curriculum; Curricula; Education; Educational aspects; Emergency medical care; Extracurricular activities; Graduate medical education; Health aspects; medical education; Medical schools; Medical students; Medicine; musculoskeletal education; Original Research; Orthopedics; Polls & surveys; Primary care; Special interest groups; Sports medicine; student teaching; Students; Study and teaching; supplemental experience; United States; United States > US; Chicago Illinois; medical education; student teaching; musculoskeletal education; supplemental experience
• ISSN: 1179-7258; 1179-7258
• DOI: 10.2147/AMEP.S139701

To investigate the impact of the Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group (OSSMIG) on medical student interest and confidence in core musculoskeletal (MSK) concepts through supplemental education and experiences at a single tertiary, academic institution. Medical student OSSMIG members at various levels of training were anonymously surveyed at the beginning and end of the 2014-2015 academic year. Eighteen (N=18) medical student interest group members completed the survey. Significant improvement in their level of training was observed with regard to respondents' self-assessed competence and confidence in MSK medicine ( <0.05). Additionally, respondents' attitudes toward exposure and support from the interest group were significantly higher than those provided by the institution ( <0.05). Members believed OSSMIG increased interest in MSK medicine, improved confidence in their ability to perform orthopedics-related physical exams, strengthened mentorship with residents and attendings, and developed a connection with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and its residents (median "Strongly Agree", interquartile range one and two scale items). Since its inception 8 years ago, OSSMIG has been well received and has positively impacted University of Washington School of Medicine students through various interventions. Surgical interest groups should target both the students interested in primary care and surgery. Medical schools can provide additional exposure to MSK medicine by leveraging interest groups that provide early clinical experiences and supplementary instruction.