Expanding the basic science debate: the role of physics knowledge in interpreting clinical findings.

Authors

Mark Goldszmidt, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western OntarioFollow
John Paul Minda, Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, CanadaFollow
Sarah L Devantier, Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada
Aimee L Skye, Department of Psychology, Grant McEwan University, Edmonton, AB, Cana
Nicole N Woods, Wilson Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2012

Journal

Advances in health sciences education : theory and practice

Volume

17

Issue

4

First Page

547

Last Page

555

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1007/s10459-011-9331-2

Abstract

Current research suggests a role for biomedical knowledge in learning and retaining concepts related to medical diagnosis. However, learning may be influenced by other, non-biomedical knowledge. We explored this idea using an experimental design and examined the effects of causal knowledge on the learning, retention, and interpretation of medical information. Participants studied a handout about several respiratory disorders and how to interpret respiratory exam findings. The control group received the information in standard "textbook" format and the experimental group was presented with the same information as well as a causal explanation about how sound travels through lungs in both the normal and disease states. Comprehension and memory of the information was evaluated with a multiple-choice exam. Several questions that were not related to the causal knowledge served as control items. Questions related to the interpretation of physical exam findings served as the critical test items. The experimental group outperformed the control group on the critical test items, and our study shows that a causal explanation can improve a student's memory for interpreting clinical details. We suggest an expansion of which basic sciences are considered fundamental to medical education.