ArticleBMC medical education2014
Teaching musculoskeletal examination skills to UK medical students: a comparative survey of Rheumatology and Orthopaedic education practice.
Article in BMC medical education, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- A systematic review of the current challenges of bedside teaching for medical students in the UK.BMC medical education · 2026Pooled it
- Factors affecting consultant attitudes to undertaking undergraduate medical student teaching in the UK: a systematic review.BMJ open · 2021Pooled it
- Exploring Medical Students' Perceptions of Near-peer Teaching in Musculoskeletal OSCE Preparation.Medical science educator · 2026Article
- Article
- A History of Musculoskeletal Medicine and Its Place and Progress in Undergraduate Medical Education.Medical science educator · 2023Review
- Knowledge of Musculoskeletal Medicine in Junior Doctors in Australia: Is It Adequate?Medical science educator · 2022Article
- A structured multimodal teaching approach enhancing musculoskeletal physical examination skills among undergraduate medical students.Medical education online · 2022Article
- Undergraduate education of trauma and orthopaedic surgery in the UK : a systematic review.Bone & joint open · 2022Article
- The impact of a hands-on arthrocentesis workshop in undergraduate medical education.BMC medical education · 2020Article
- A global perspective on the challenges and opportunities in learning about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in undergraduate medical education : White paper by the World Forum on Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WFRMD).Clinical rheumatology · 2020Review
- Peer-assisted learning versus didactic teaching in osteology for first-year Indian undergraduate medical students: a quasi-experimental study.Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA · 2019Article
- The Use of Augmented Reality Technology in Medical Specimen Museum Tours.Anatomical sciences education · 2019Article
- Use of structured musculoskeletal examination routines in undergraduate medical education and postgraduate clinical practice - a UK survey.BMC medical education · 2016Article
- Sustained impact of a short small group course with systematic feedback in addition to regular clinical clerkship activities on musculoskeletal examination skills--a controlled study.BMC medical education · 2016Article
- A new method for teaching physical examination to junior medical students.Advances in medical education and practice · 2016Article
- Assessment of knowledge of junior doctors and non-specialists about musculoskeletal medicine.Pakistan journal of medical sciencesArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
1 author.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSpecialists in Rheumatology and Orthopaedics are frequently involved in undergraduate teaching of musculoskeletal (MSK) examination skills. Students often report that specialty-led teaching is inconsistent, confusing and bears little resemblance to the curricula. The Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine (GALS) is a MSK screening tool that provides a standardised approach to examination despite it being fraught with disapproval and low uptake. Recent studies would appear to support innovative instructional methods of engaging learners such as patient educators and interactive small group teaching.
methodsThis comparative cross-sectional survey evaluates the current state of undergraduate teaching in Rheumatology and Orthopaedics, including preferred teaching methods, attitudes towards GALS, and barriers to effective teaching. An electronic questionnaire was sent to specialist trainees and Consultants in the East and West Midlands region, representing 5 UK medical schools. Descriptive statistical data analysis was performed.
resultsThere were 76 respondents representing 5 medical schools. There was a request for newer teaching methodologies to be used: multi-media computer-assisted learning (35.5%), audio-visual aids (31.6%), role-playing (19.7%), and social media (3.9%). It is evident that GALS is under-utilised with 50% of clinicians not using GALS in their teaching.
conclusionsThere is a genuine desire for clinical educators to improve their teaching ability, collaborate more with curriculum planners, and feel valued by institutions. There remains a call for implementing a standardised approach to MSK clinical teaching to supersede GALS.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.