Educational Value of a Medical Student–Led Head and Neck Cancer Screening Event. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Freiser, Monika E.; Desai, Dipan D.; Azcarate, Patrick M.; Szczupak, Mikhaylo; Cohen, Erin R.; Raffa, Francesca N.; George, Joshua S.; Lo, Kaming; Nayak, Chetan S.; Weed, Donald T.; Sargi, Zoukaa B.
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 154:Number 4(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: 638
• Page End: 644
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: head and neck cancer -- cancer screening -- medical education -- medical student; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0194599815626147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate improvement of medical student knowledge of head and neck cancer (HNC) through participation in HNC screening fairs run by medical students. Study Design: Prospective cohort study of surveys assessing medical students' knowledge of HNC before and after volunteering at screening fairs. Setting: Four screening fairs held at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine during Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. Subjects: Medical student screening fair volunteers. Methods: Four HNC screening fairs were organized by medical student volunteers. All students completed a preevent survey assessing baseline knowledge and participated in an otolaryngologist-led training session about HNC and the screening examination. During the screening events, students educated guests about HNC and performed physician-guided history and physical examinations. Finally, students completed identical surveys 1 week and 3 months after the event. Results: Thirty-four (n = 34) students completed the preevent surveys. At baseline, 59%, 44%, and 24% named tobacco, alcohol, and human papilloma virus as risk factors, compared with 84%, 81%, and 69% on 3 month follow-up, respectively. Out of 6 analyzed questions, the median total number of correctly answered questions improved from 2 on pretest to 5 at 3 months ( P < .0001). Conclusion: Volunteer participation in a HNC screening program improves medical students' knowledge of HNC risk factors and symptoms. This innovative approach to students' education via participation and organization of screening events is a useful method of improving their HNC knowledge.