[Ankle-brachial index measurement: Methods of teaching in French medical schools and review of literature]

The ankle-brachial index (ABI) can be measured to diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD) and used as an independent marker of cardiovascular risk. What are the teaching methods for ABI in French medical schools? What are the data in the literature showing the link between and educational interventions and ABI competency?A questionnaire to assess how ABI is taught in the second and third cycles of French medical schools was sent to vascular medicine chairs of each faculty. A systematic review of the literature in PubMed was performed including articles that studied the effect of an educational intervention on this competency.Sixty-five percent of vascular medicine chairs (teachers) responded. ABI was taught in the second cycle in all medical schools. In 75% of schools, ABI was taught as part of lectures on PAD. Practical training was implemented in the second cycle in 20% of medical schools and in the third cycle in 60%. Teachers are statistically less satisfied with their way of teaching in the second cycle compared with the third cycle. Four articles have studied the effect of an educational intervention. Practical training improves student performance.Most of vascular medicine teachers used lectures to teach ABI. This type of teaching does not favor the development of this medical competency. The best way of teaching this competency should be addressed. Homogenization in the way ABI is taught would be necessary at national and international levels.