Table 4.

Instructor evaluation scores (see Additional File 1: Appendix 3 for specific question wording)

Question Topic	Patient educator group mean score (sd) Max score = 4 n = 42	Physician tutor group mean score (sd) Max score = 4 n = 40	P value
1. Provided general approach	3.20 (0.51)	3.20 (0.82)	0.069
2. Treated students with respect	3.93 (0.26)	3.68 (0.73)	0.043
3. Safe & open learning environment	3.95 (0.22)	3.58 (0.75)	0.004
4. Encouraged questions	3.90 (0.30)	3.60 (0.74)	0.019
5. Answers to questions helpful	3.76 (0.43)	3.48 (0.78)	0.046
6. Emphasized how arthritis affects patients	3.62 (0.54)	3.28 (0.85)	0.030
7. Emphasized ensuring patient comfort	3.71 (0.77)	3.28 (0.82)	0.014
8. Demonstrates techniques clearly	3.69 (0.47)	3.30 (0.85)	0.013
9. Demonstrates normal vs. abnormal	3.10 (0.76)	3.28 (0.78)	0.295
10. Demonstrates inflammatory vs. degenerative	2.79 (0.84)	2.85 (0.89)	0.738
11. Allow time for practicing	3.29 (0.71)	2.90 (0.84)	0.027
12. Gives constructive feedback	3.43 (0.59)	3.23 (0.83)	0.203
13. Makes relevance of session clear	3.69 (0.52)	3.05 (1.01)	0.000
14. Makes session interesting	3.79 (0.42)	3.43 (0.75)	0.009

sd = standard deviation