Improving teaching skills in obstetrics and gynecology residents: evaluation of a residents-as-teachers program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a residents-as-teachers program improves residents' teaching skills. Twenty-four residents (13 intervention, 11 controls) participated in a controlled trial of a residents-as-teachers program. The intervention group attended a 10.5-hour workshop-based program. Afterwards, both groups were tested with a 6-station Objective Structured Teaching Examination (OSTE), conducted by standardized students. Both groups also completed teaching skills self-assessment questionnaires. In addition, the intervention group completed evaluations of each workshop. On the OSTE, the intervention group outscored the control group overall (mean: 74 vs 63, P =.001, 95% CI: 6-7 points) and on 4 out of 6 stations. Intervention residents increased their teaching self-assessment mean ratings from 3.5 to 4.0; residents gave the 6 workshops a mean rating of 4.49 (1-5 scale, 5 = best). The residents-as-teachers program improved the teaching skills of residents. Their self-assessment of their teaching skills also improved. They rated the workshops highly.