Exploring medical students' perceptions on the effectiveness of a clinical skills rotation at a clinical skills laboratory

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : Learning skills and competencies through simulation is a safe way of teaching medical students clinical procedures before exposing real patients to their practice. This is the case at the Ziauddin University (ZU) in Pakistan. The study was done after a Clinical Skills Laboratory (CSL) was established where Clinical Skills Rotation (CSR) was taught. The aim of the study was to determine how students experienced this new form of teaching and how it affected the rotations following the training in the CSL. The focus of the CSR was the transfer of knowledge into a variety of skills such as communication, interpersonal, and psychomotor skills, mostly through simulation-based training on manikins and on standardised patients. The study adopted an explorative approach by making use of both qualitative and quantitative data. One-to-one interviews were conducted with participants who attended CSR along with other rotations in the third year of their Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) class. Quantitative data was also gathered. The design comprised a quantitative component in the form of a Likert scale type questionnaire coupled with a qualitative component comprising unstructured interviews. The sample was selected from the third year MBBS class of 2016. The students were divided into two groups that completed the questionnaires and took part in the interviews, which the researcher conducted. The data gathered from the questionnaires were collated in tables to indicate the trends found in the answers. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed through thematic analysis using a coding process to develop evolving themes. The quantitative data analysis showed overall positive perceptions and experiences of attending CSR. The majority of respondents perceived that the clinical skills sessions were conducted with clear aims and objectives. There was a clear indication that they thought the educational content was appropriate for a student's level of understanding. Two thirds of students positively responded, describing the CSL sessions as relevant to their clinical contexts. Most of them agreed that these sessions created interest and enthusiasm among students. The qualitative data showed that most of the students enjoyed learning in a CSL and valued the experiences that would enhance their performance of procedural skills, communication skills, and universal precaution. In addition, skills that students learned at CSR moderately affected their learning in other rotations.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University