Morning Report Improves Residents’ Diagnostic Competence & Clinical Problem-Solving Ability

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroductionMorning report (MR) is an educational activity that uses inpatient case-based teaching. Given the rapid changes taking place in medical practice, it is important to assess the residents’ perspective regarding this teaching method.ObjectiveTo establish the perspective of residents in internal medicine on various aspects of MR and propose a format based on our observations.Study DesignObservational cross-sectional study.Place & Duration of StudyData was collected from groups of residents in the Department of Medicine at the Aga Khan University Hospital, from July 2002 to August 2007.MethodologyAn observational cross-sectional survey on MR was conducted among the residents of the Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University. A 22-item questionnaire was distributed among the residents based on the purpose, format, and contents of the morning report, as well as the most appropriate person to present and conduct it, and how frequently they should be carried out.Analyses were carried out using the statistical software ‘Statistical Package for Social Sciences’ (SPSS)Results92% of residents believed MR to be an effective teaching activity with 65% of them choosing ‘Improvement in clinical problem-solving ability’ as the primary purpose of MR followed by ‘improving presentation skills’ (62%) and ‘conveying medical knowledge to the residents’ (58%). 79 residents (87%) believed that the junior resident should present the case history. 75 residents (83%) thought that faculty on call at time of patient’s admission should conduct MR. Residents wanted to discuss diagnostic work-up (90%) and management (89%) of specific interesting cases (79%) in MR.ConclusionMR is an effective educational activity and should be an essential component of any post-graduate residency program within the country and outside.