Application of health appraisal in education: module on cardiovascular risk reduction

As an innovative method of teaching cardiovascular risk reduction is introduced to second-year medical students, it is important to measure the effect on knowledge, attitude and satisfaction with this method of learning. A cardiovascular risk reduction module using Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) was taught by a multiprofessional faculty to 267 second-year medical students in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Using an experimental design, students were randomly assigned to a group completing knowledge and attitude measures either before or after the course. The combined years after instruction group scored higher on knowledge (p 0.001), but there were no significant attitude differences. Student satisfaction was overwhelmingly positive. The results indicate that cardiovascular risk reduction principles can be taught effectively to medical students using the Health Risk Appraisal as an instructional model. The study also demonstrates a high level of student satisfaction with this innovative teaching method.