TEACHING CRITICAL-APPRAISAL TO MEDICAL-STUDENTS IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Critical appraisal might be the most important skill to acquire in med ical school. Despite its importance, this issue has received little at tention in obstetrics and gynecology training. This article describes the approach used at San Francisco General Hospital. We teach critical appraisal in several ways. We provide a series of student seminars th at foster critical reading of the literature. Topics range from techno logy assessment to contraception to sexually transmitted diseases. Evi dence-based ward rounds complement the experience. During the rotation , each student formally reviews one topic in women's health using the US Preventive Services Task Force rating system. Although we lack a qu antitative assessment of this approach, student feedback has been enth usiastic. Critical appraisal skills enable students to continue their medical education after completion of their formal training. (Obstet G ynecol 1998;92:877-82. (C) 1998 by The American College of Obstetricia ns and Gynecologists.).