In paroxysmal AF, first-line catheter ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drugs reduces atrial arrhythmia recurrence.

Imberti JF, Ding WY, Kotalczyk A, et al. Heart. 2021;107:1630-6.

Impact of Required Versus Self-Directed Use of Virtual Patient Cases on Clerkship Performance: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Purpose: To explore how students use and benefit from virtual patient cases (VPCs).

Method: In academic years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, cohorts of students in pediatrics (Peds), family medicine (FM), and internal medicine (IM) clerkships were allocated to either core required use (CRU) or self-directed use (SU) of MedU VPCs. Outcomes included number and time of case review, student perception of learning from VPCs, National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) subject examination scores, and summative clinical ratings for medical knowledge and differential diagnoses/problem solving.

Implementation of a Mini-CEX Requirement Across All Third-Year Clerkships.

Problem: Direct observation of medical students performing clinical tasks, such as eliciting a patient history or examining a patient, and the provision of feedback, are foundational to student improvement but have been reported to occur infrequently. The mini clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) is a tool that can facilitate direct observation and feedback. This study assessed the impact of a mini-CEX requirement across all 3rd-year clerkships on student report of direct observation by faculty and objectively measured clinical skills.

What Are We Telling Our Students? A National Survey of Clerkship Directors' Advice for Students Applying to Internal Medicine Residency.

Background: Little is known about the advice fourth-year medical students receive from their advisors as they prepare to apply for residency training.

Objective: We collected information on recommendations given to medical students preparing to apply to internal medicine residencies regarding fourth-year schedules and application strategies.

Methods: Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine conducted its annual member survey in June 2013.

Management of postoperative complications: anemia.

Anemia is extremely common following hip fracture. Consistent data from randomized trials show that transfusion of less blood, with a transfusion threshold around 8 g/dL hemoglobin concentration, is preferable to a traditional threshold of 10 g/dL. Adoption of a lower threshold leads to at least equivalent clinical outcomes, with much less exposure to transfusion costs and risks.

A trial of team-based versus small-group learning for second-year medical students: does the size of the small group make a difference?

Background: Team-based learning is a large-group instructional modality intended to provide active learning with modest faculty resources.

Purpose: The goal is to determine if team-based learning could be substituted for small-group learning in case sessions without compromising test performance or satisfaction.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-seven students were assigned to team-based or small-group learning for 6 case discussion sessions.

Impact of an evidence-based medicine curriculum on resident use of electronic resources: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is widely taught in residency, but evidence for effectiveness of EBM teaching on changing residents' behavior is limited.

Objective: To investigate the impact of an EBM curriculum on residents' use of evidence-based resources in a simulated clinical experience.

Design/participants: Fifty medicine residents randomized to an EBM teaching or control group.

Brief report: Utilizing an audiotape for outpatient preceptor faculty development.

Background: Faculty development for busy and geographically dispersed ambulatory preceptors is a difficult task for course directors.

Purpose: A faculty development audiotape intended for playing in the preceptor's car was created. The feasibility of this form of faculty development was tested in this pilot study.