Comparing fourth-year medical students with faculty in the teaching of physical examination skills to first-year students

Purpose. To see whether fourth-year medical students can teach the physical examination to first-year students as effectively as can faculty preceptors. Method. Ninety-three first-year students studying the physical examination were randomly assigned to one of ten fourth-year student preceptors or one of 15 faculty preceptors. Test results and course evaluations were compared by type of preceptor. Fourth-year student preceptors were surveyed regarding their experience. Results. The mean test scores did not differ between the first year students with fourth-year student preceptors and those with faculty preceptors. The first year students rated the fourth-year student preceptors higher than they did the faculty preceptors. The fourth year students rated their experience favorably. Conclusion. A select group of fourth-year medical students provides a successful alternative to faculty in the teaching of the physical examination to first-year students.