MEDLINE TRAINING FOR MEDICAL-STUDENTS INTEGRATED INTO THE CLINICAL CURRICULUM

This study was initiated in response to the availability of unlimited access to MEDLINE via the PaperChase interface at the host institution . The goal of the study was to analyse the usage of MEDLINE by medical students during their third-year clinical clerkship in paediatrics. T his was achieved by first giving them a formal demonstration of MEDLIN E and then longitudinally administering a structured questionnaire at several points during their paediatric clerkship. Since medical studen ts were required to write a thesis for this clerkship, which included an analysis of the primary literature, there was an identified need fo r using the-System. This study analyses the students' perceptions and searching activities after formal training and upon having unlimited a ccess to MEDLINE.