OBJECTIVE: To investigate the baseline knowledge of autonomic functions and specifically the International Standards to document remaining Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI) among medical students and to present the effective methods in learning of the ISAFSCI.

DESIGN: Interventional training session.

SETTING: A tertiary hospital.

PARTICIPANTS: 37 medical students.

INTERVENTIONS: Before training, a self-rating questionnaire including 24 concepts extracted from the ISAFSCI was administrated to the students. Then students were divided into two groups. One group (N = 19) had a one-hour ISAFSCI booklet self-study (BSS), while the other group (N = 18) received a one-hour lecture-based learning (LBL) about the ISAFSCI. After BSS/LBL, all students were examined by a 15-question written test on the knowledge of ISAFSCI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline knowledge self-rating questionnaire before training and comparison of post-training performance on the written test between the BSS and LBL groups.

RESULTS: Before training, students were familiar with only 8 out of the 24 concepts within the questionnaire (demonstrating baseline knowledge rate beyond 50%). Significant difference in post-training performance (P<0.05) between BBS and LBL groups was noted for 5 of 15 items tested, including hypohydrosis, broncho-pulmonary system, lower urinary tract function, bowel function and female sexual function. All questions except the one regarding hypohydrosis were answered with greater than 80% accuracy by LBL group.

CONCLUSION: Use of ISAFSCI booklet alone for self-study by medical students is not sufficient to obtain bassline knowledge of autonomic discussions after SCI. It is recommended that formal lecture or presentation should be used to improve the effectiveness of learning the ISAFSCI for medical students.