Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002 Jun; 186(6): 1259-65; discussion 1265-7.

A review of medical and allied health learners' satisfaction with their training in women's health.

Emmons S, Sells CW, Eiff MP.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA. emmonss@ohsu.edu

OBJECTIVE: Graduating learners from Oregon Health and Sciences University programs and from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine were surveyed about their attitudes toward their training in women's health. STUDY DESIGN: The survey addressed learner satisfaction with training in women's health, their preferred learning methods, and their clinical comfort in managing 17 clinical problems. The survey addressed knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine. RESULTS: Satisfaction with training in women's health varied by program. Satisfaction increased with increasing proportion of women seen during training. Clinical confidence scores increased with increasing proportion of women seen during training. Physical assault and breast disease were areas of least clinical confidence. All groups preferred learning in clinical rather than didactic settings. Experience with alternative and complementary medicine was very limited except among naturopathic students. CONCLUSIONS: Areas of common educational need were identified among a variety of learners. This information will assist educators in designing multidisciplinary programs to meet the needs of this diverse group.