Increasing Physician Comfort in Managing Liver Diseases

HealthDay News — A novel non-elective inpatient hepatology rotation increases knowledge of chronic liver disease (CLD) among internal medicine (IM) residents, according to a study published online August 10 in Hepatology.

Adam E. Mikolajczyk, MD, from the University of Chicago Medicine, and colleagues distributed a paper-based anonymous assessment to the inaugural 25 post-graduate year 2 and 3 IM residents before and after the 2-week inpatient hepatology rotation. Validated multiple-choice questions and Likert-type questions were included in the pre- and post-rotation assessments.

The researchers found that after completion of the rotation there was a significant increase in the mean comfort level for managing several common liver diseases (cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and liver transplant care). A significant increase was also reported in interest in hepatology as a career (P =.03). The mean percentage of multiple-choice questions answered correctly was 62% and 77% percent pre- and post-test (P =.02).

“Our novel curriculum and non-elective hepatology rotation has effectively demonstrated improvement in IM residents’ comfort with and knowledge of CLD,” the authors write.

Reference

1. Mikolajczyk AE, Farnan JM, McConville JF, et al. Novel Educational Interventions in Residency Increase Knowledge of Chronic Liver Disease and Career Interest in Hepatology. Hepatology. 2016; doi: 10.1002/hep.28741