PERFORMANCE OF THE VASCULAR PHYSICAL-EXAMINATION BY RESIDENTS AND MEDICAL-STUDENTS

Purpose: This study uses an objective structured clinical examination to evaluate the performance and interpretation of the vascular physica l examination by interns and medical students. Methods: A patient with lower extremity arterial occlusive disease findings was examined by 2 0 third-year students (M3), 23 physicians entering surgical internship (PGY1), and 7 individuals completing internship (PGY2). The test cons isted of two sections: part A evaluated the individuals' ability to pe rform a pulse examination (data gathering); part B evaluated the inter pretation of the physical examination findings (data interpretation). National Board of Medical Examiners Part II examination results were o btained for 84% of participants. Results: All groups performed poorly, with overall correct percent scores being 43% (M3), 39% (PGY1), and 6 2% (PGY2). PGY2s performed significantly better than M3s or PGY1s (p = 0.0002). No statistical difference was noted between M3 and PGY1 scor es. Overall, data gathering skills were significantly better than data interpretation skills (51% vs 37%, P = 0.0001). National Board of Med ical Examiners Part II scores did not vary substantially among groups. Conclusions: Interns and medical students demonstrated considerable i naccuracy in both data gathering and data interpretation. A modest imp rovement was observed in individuals tested at the end of the internsh ip year. This study suggests that increased attention should be direct ed toward instructing surgical residents and students how to perform a n accurate peripheral vascular physical examination and how to interpr et its significance.