ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Residents play the role of teachers in almost one-quarter of their activities in residency programs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a 45-minute class using summarize, narrow, analyze, probe, plan, and select (SNAPPS) could improve psychiatry residents’ case discussion skills in diverse practical learning settings. DESIGN AND SETTING: This case-control, randomized, blinded study was conducted in a psychiatry hospital at Fortaleza-Ceará. METHODS: Using “resident as teacher” (RaT), objective structured teaching encounters (OSTEs), and SNAPPS, we conducted a study with 26 psychiatry residents. We analyzed video footage of psychiatric cases in three settings: outpatient, nursing, and emergency. An intervention was held two months later with the residents, who were then assigned to two groups: group A (lecture on SNAPPS) and group B (lecture on a topics in psychiatry). Shortly after the lectures, they were video recorded while discussing the same cases. Three blinded examiners analyzed the videos using an instrument based on the Stanford Faculty Development Program (SFDP-26). RESULTS: We found high internal consistency among external examiners and an interaction effect, group effect, and moment effect (P < 0.05). The residents who received the SNAPPS lecture scored significantly higher than their counterparts who received a traditional case presentation. CONCLUSION: This study indicates the efficacy of SNAPPS over traditional case presentation in all three settings as assessed by OSTEs and supports its implementation to improve the teaching of clinical reasoning.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Residents play the role of teachers in almost one-quarter of their activities in residency programs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a 45-minute class using summarize, narrow, analyze, probe, plan, and select (SNAPPS) could improve psychiatry residents’ case discussion skills in diverse practical learning settings. DESIGN AND SETTING: This case-control, randomized, blinded study was conducted in a psychiatry hospital at Fortaleza-Ceará. METHODS: Using “resident as teacher” (RaT), objective structured teaching encounters (OSTEs), and SNAPPS, we conducted a study with 26 psychiatry residents. We analyzed video footage of psychiatric cases in three settings: outpatient, nursing, and emergency. An intervention was held two months later with the residents, who were then assigned to two groups: group A (lecture on SNAPPS) and group B (lecture on a topics in psychiatry). Shortly after the lectures, they were video recorded while discussing the same cases. Three blinded examiners analyzed the videos using an instrument based on the Stanford Faculty Development Program (SFDP-26). RESULTS: We found high internal consistency among external examiners and an interaction effect, group effect, and moment effect (P < 0.05). The residents who received the SNAPPS lecture scored significantly higher than their counterparts who received a traditional case presentation. CONCLUSION: This study indicates the efficacy of SNAPPS over traditional case presentation in all three settings as assessed by OSTEs and supports its implementation to improve the teaching of clinical reasoning.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A formação do médico especialista no Brasil pode ocorrer por diferentes vias. A aproximação das instituições que realizam essas formações e avaliam os médicos e as instituições de saúde pode trazer benefícios na qualificação. Este artigo analisa o impacto dessa aproximação e o trabalho conjunto das equipes da Comissão Nacional de Residência Médica (CNRM) e da Sociedade Brasileira de Neurocirurgia (SBN) na avaliação desses programas. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo, conduzido em uma universidade pública, sobre projeto piloto elaborado entre CNRM e SBN na avaliação conjunta dos programas de treinamento pelo Brasil. MÉTODOS: Revisão de literatura nas principais bases de dados, documentos e legislações produzidas por órgãos oficiais governamentais, visitas aos locais de formação e análise dos relatórios e pareces produzidos sobre os programas de residência médica. RESULTADOS: Apenas 26% dos programas foram aprovados diretamente. As avaliações conjuntas encontraram problemas relacionados ao ensino e ao funcionamento do serviço em cerca de 35% dos programas. A distribuição dos programas no país tem forte relação com o Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) das regiões e é muito semelhante à distribuição dos especialistas. CONCLUSÃO: A aproximação da SBN com a CNRM teve impacto positivo na avaliação das residências médicas em neurocirurgia no país. Os índices baixos de aprovação direta forçaram a realização de modificações e melhorias na qualidade de ensino e assistência (serviço). A aproximação da CNRM e das demais especialidades médicas pode alterar positivamente a estrutura e o funcionamento da formação médica no país.

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Training for specialist physicians in Brazil can take place in different ways. Closer liaison between institutions providing this training and assessment and health care services may improve qualifications. This article analyzes the impact of closer links and joint work by teams from the National Medical Residency Committee (Comissão Nacional de Residência Médica, CNRM) and the Brazilian Society of Neurosurgery (Sociedade Brasileira de Neurocirurgia, SBN) towards evaluating these programs. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective and prospective study, conducted in a public university on a pilot project developed between CNRM and SBN for joint assessment of training programs across Brazil. METHODS: The literature in the most relevant databases was reviewed. Documents and legislation produced by official government bodies were evaluated. Training locations were visited. Reports produced about residency programs were analyzed. RESULTS: Only 26% of the programs were immediately approved. The joint assessments found problems relating to teaching and to functioning of clinical service in 35% of the programs. The distribution of programs in this country has a strong relationship with the Human Development Index (HDI) of the regions and is very similar to the distribution of specialists. CONCLUSION: Closer collaboration between the SBN and CNRM had a positive impact on assessment of neurosurgery medical residency across the country. The low rates of direct approval have produced modifications and improvements to the quality of teaching and care (services). Closer links between the CNRM and other medical specialties have the capability to positively change the structure and function of specialty training in Brazil.