Regional Musculoskeletal Examination

Confusion exists over which musculoskeletal examination skills medical students should learn. This study aimed to explore the views of third-year medical students. This was a qualitative study to allow in-depth exploration of beliefs and attitudes. Twenty students were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 focus groups. Their attitudes towards musculoskeletal examination were explored and discussed. The groups' discussions were recorded, transcribed, and framework analysis was undertaken with the aid of NUD*IST computer software. The following themes were identified: students dislike eponymous names for clinical tests; students felt there is a need for a more structured approach to musculoskeletal examination; students appeared unaware that many clinical tests were not based on evidence; students complained of a lack of confidence in the use of musculoskeletal clinical tests. Student's confidence in their musculoskeletal examination skills may be improved by the development of an agreed set of so-called core examination skills.