Ospital ng Maynila Medical
Center, Philippines
Abstract
Up to this time, medical anecdotal
reporting is used solely in research methodology discussion and is usually
frowned upon when invoked in patient management. This paper reports on the use
of medical anecdotal reporting (MAR) as a teaching-learning activity in the
Department of Surgery of Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center. MAR is
operationally defined as a brief written report on an actual medical event that
involves an actual patient seen by a trainee. The medical observation must have
an impact on the trainee in terms of insight gained and which the reporter
thinks is worth sharing with colleagues. The insight may come in three forms,
namely: a discovery; a stimulus for investigation and research; and a
reinforcement or validation of previously held philosophy and principles. Each
clinical trainee was required to submit at least one brief MAR a month, posted
in the Department’s group email and trainee’s online journal and presented in
the Department’s conference. Formative evaluation of the MAR showed that it
could be used as an evaluation tool by the faculty as well as a meaningful
learning activity by the trainees. Through the MAR, the trainees gained
insights or learning through reflection and analysis of the event. They
experienced all aspects of physician-patient biopsychosocial interaction. They
were given opportunities to be expressive and to polish their written
communication skills. Through the MAR, the faculty was able to observe and
evaluate the cognitive and affective levels of competency of the trainees.