Are discharge summaries teachable? The effects of a discharge summary curriculum on the quality of discharge summaries in an internal medicine residency program

Acad Med. 2006 Oct;81(10 Suppl):S5-8. doi: 10.1097/01.ACM.0000236516.63055.8b.

Abstract

Background: Interns are often required to dictate discharge summaries without formal training. We investigated the impact of a curriculum aimed at improving the quality (i.e., complete, organized, succinct, internally consistent, and readable) of interns' discharge summaries.

Method: Fifty-nine medicine interns were randomized to a: (1) control group; (2) discharge summary curriculum; or (3) curriculum plus individualized feedback. Pre- and post-intervention, seven discharge summaries were graded using a 9-item instrument. T-tests, analysis of covariance, and effect sizes assessed group differences.

Results: There were multiple, significant within-group improvements for the intervention groups and between group differences post-intervention. The average effect size was large when the curriculum plus feedback group was compared to the control group (.70) and moderate when compared to the curriculum only group (.36).

Conclusions: Interns who received instruction on discharge summary skills improved the quality and of their discharge summaries. Adding feedback to the curriculum provided more benefit.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Curriculum
  • Humans
  • Internal Medicine / education*
  • Internship and Residency*
  • Medical Records*
  • Patient Discharge / standards*
  • Pennsylvania