Diseño, implementación y evaluación de un programa de aprendizaje de habilidades procedimentales básicas en enfermería utilizando la plataforma C1DO1 durante la pandemia por COVID-19

Introducción: La simulación remota brindó una alternativa concreta para entrenar las habilidades procedimentales básicas durante la pandemia. El objetivo de este artículo es describir el proyecto que mantuvo el entrenamiento de las habilidades procedimentales básicas de enfermería en alumnos de pregrado UC, utilizando la aplicación C1DO1, durante el segundo semestre del 2021. Materiales y Métodos: Se diseñaron cinco etapas en la plataforma C1DO1. Cada etapa consideró un procedimiento clínico básico. Los estudiantes practicaron las técnicas en su hogar y se grabaron ejecutando el procedimiento. El video fue revisado por un docente que proporcionaba una retroalimentación personalizada y medía su aprendizaje de manera formativa. Al finalizar todas las etapas, se aplicó una encuesta para evaluar la percepción y satisfacción con el proyecto. Resultados: 183 estudiantes se inscribieron en el proyecto, de los cuales 122 participaron activamente. El porcentaje de respuesta del instrumento de evaluación fue de un 71%. La satisfacción global alcanzó una nota de 6,1. El grado de acuerdo con la simulación remota fue de un 94%. La percepción de autoeficacia alcanzó un 89%. La retroalimentación personalizada fue considerada como muy importante por el 94% de los participantes y el 98% de los estudiantes aprobó la etapa que efectúo. Discusión: Existe un alto grado de acuerdo con el entrenamiento de habilidades procedimentales mediante la simulación remota, sin embargo, los estudiantes consideran esta metodología como un complemento al aprendizaje motor, aún faltan estudios que midan transferencia.

Introduction: Remote simulation provided a concrete alternative to train basic procedural skills, given the pandemic. This article aims to describe the project that maintained the training of basic nursing procedural skills in UC undergraduate students using the C1DO1 application during the second semester of 2021. Methods: Five stages were designed on the C1DO1 platform. Each stage considered a basic clinical procedure. The students practiced the techniques at home and recorded themselves performing the procedure. The video was reviewed by a teacher who provided personalized feedback and measured their learning in a formative way. At the end of all the stages, a survey was applied to the students to evaluate their perception and satisfaction with the project. Results: The total number of students enrolled in the project was 183 of which 122 actively participated. The response rate of the evaluation instrument was 71%. Global satisfaction with the project obtained a score of 6.1. The degree of agreement with the remote simulation was 94%. The perception of self-efficacy reached 89%. The personalized feedback was considered very important by 94% of the participants and 98% of the students approved the stage they carried out. Discussion: There is a high degree of agreement with the training of procedural skills through remote simulation, however, students see this methodology as a complement to motor learning, and studies that measure transfer are still lacking.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on medical education

Background: Medicine is one of the few academic disciplines that cannot be taught in the distance education mode. Hands-on practice for clinical skills and competency is critical in medical education. Although this pandemic has offered new learning modes such as teleconsultation, videoconferencing, virtual simulations, and digital podcasts, how much actual knowledge transfer and skill gain will be achieved, is unanswered. Aims and Objectives: The present study has been planned to understand the impact of COVID on medical education and to identify the factors which promoted or hindered learning during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 261 willing MBBS students from various colleges of Tamil Nadu after obtaining Institutional Ethical committee clearance using a pre-validated structured online questionnaire through Google form link in online social platforms through “Voluntary opt in” method of sampling. Results: About 22.6% of the study participants were affected by COVID-19. About 46% of the participants family members suffered from COVID and all of them accepted that it significantly affected their academics. About 71.6% experienced anxiety/depression. About 93.5% were addicted to social media during class hours. About 88.1% welcomed “flipped/blended learning”. More than 90.8% reported that they missed skill-based learning/Primary health care training. About 80.8% positively felt that they got more duration for preparing exams. About 89.3% found that practical exams were challenging. Conclusion: Not only have we witnessed the importance of having a robust health-care system, but the pandemic has created a critical need to transform various aspects of medical education especially to a model of blended learning of online and offline methods to enable a better academic environment so as to reflect the changing medical landscape.

Construction of multi-level medical training platform system in clinical skills simulation training center / 中华医学教育探索杂志

This study mainly introduces the exploration of the construction and management of multi-level medical training platform in clinical skills center of the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University. Through the construction of a multi-level clinical skills training platform, a reasonable hierarchical training program is formulated by taking the clinical basic skills training platform and the clinical specialist skills training platform as the basic core teaching content. This program adopts various ways to improve the teaching quality, effectively promote students' ability of clinical practice step by step, meet the needs of different levels of medical personnel in different stages, scientifically and effectively cultivate the high-quality medical personals, and give full play to the role of hospital clinical skills center in medical education, which lays a good foundation for the continuous improvement of teaching quality in hospitals.

Current situation and future countermeasures of mobile internet remote teaching of pediatric imaging / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Due to the limitations professional status and training channels, the training of pediatric imaging talents in China is seriously insufficient. Pediatric imaging doctors are concentrated in children's hospitals. Pediatric imaging knowledge and talents in primary medical institutions are scarce, which is not conducive to the construction of hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system. Large-scale telemedicine and online medical treatment based on mobile Internet have become the mainstream platforms for medical consultation and teaching, providing a good opportunity for remote teaching of pediatric imaging, and are expected to become a powerful tool for training pediatric imaging talents. The analysis of literature, mobile phone application market software and cost-effectiveness shows that the current large-scale telemedicine construction cycle is long, the construction and maintenance costs are high, and it is vulnerable to geographical and environmental constraints. It is still a long way to go for remote teaching in hospitals below the county level. The use of mobile terminals and mobile Internet is very convenient. It is an excellent choice to realize the remote teaching of pediatric imaging. It is expected to solve the problem of pediatric imaging talent training and skill dissemination.

Application of "group-based" TA guidance model in the construction of homogenized clinical skill training system / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To evaluate the application effect of the "group-based" teaching assistant (TA) guidance model in homogenized clinical skill training.Methods:A pilot study was conducted on the cardiopulmonary resuscitation training course, and 32 students majoring in clinical integrative Chinese and Western medicine (five-year program) who were admitted to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018 were randomly divided into control group ( n = 16) and TA group ( n = 16). The control group received traditional teaching methods, and the TA group was further divided into subgroups A, B, C, and D, with four graduate TAs providing group-based teaching. The groups were compared in terms of their satisfaction and test scores. SPSS 25.0 was used for t-test and analysis of variance. Results:The satisfaction survey showed that compared with the control group, the TA group had significantly higher degree of satisfaction with the increased practical opportunities, clinical skill practical ability, learning effect, and overall satisfaction. The immediate test showed that there was no significant difference in test score between the TA group (85.19±2.93) points and the control group (82.75±4.52) points. The test 30 days later showed that the TA group (83.50±5.13) points had a significantly higher test score than the control group (74.68±3.87) points, and the control group had a significantly lower test score than that in the immediate test ( P <0.001); however, there was no significant difference in the TA group's score between the immediate test and the test 30 days later. Conclusion:The "group-based" TA guidance model has a good effect in homogenized clinical skill training, and has a stable long-term effect, with high student satisfaction.

Cognitive abilities and medical students' practice of physical exams: A quasi-experimental study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: To highlight the importance of clinical simulations and simulated laboratories for student training, especially in physical examination teaching. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the gains obtained by medical students in their cognitive and practical performance of physical examinations (abdominal, cardiological, and pulmonary), as well as satisfaction and self-confidence in what they have learned, after concentrated practice developed in a skills and simulation laboratory. DESIGN AND SETTING: A quantitative and quasi-experimental study in which 48 students were evaluated at the Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A quantitative and descriptive study was conducted with regularly enrolled 2nd year medical students over 18 years of age who had content prior to data collection regarding anamnesis and physical examination remotely taught in a Moodle virtual learning environment. For data collection, the participants were subjected to a concentrated period of skill training (abdominal, cardiological, and pulmonary). Every day after the skill training session, they were subjected to a practical evaluation and completed a theoretical test before and after the practical activities. At the end of all activities, they answered the instrument to assess the simulated practices (self-confidence and satisfaction). RESULTS: Among the 49 students evaluated, positive and significant theoretical and practical gains were identified in all three components (abdominal, cardiological, and pulmonary) (P = 0.000), as well as in the general evaluation (Theoretical 1 and Theoretical 2) (P = 0.000), satisfaction, and self-confidence (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Concentrated laboratory practice resulted in positive improvements in students' physical examination skills.

A quasi-experimental study to compare the acquisition of basic clinical skills in novice medical students taught by George and Doto’s five-step method compared to those taught by the traditional approach (SODOTO)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the acquisition of basic clinical skills by George and Doto’s five step method compared to the Traditional SODOTO approach, and to ascertain the perception of the students regarding these diverse methods. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four 2nd MBBS 1st semester students posted in the Department of Medicine at GMERS, Gotri, were enrolled for the study. After teaching the theory, both groups were taught per abdomen (P/A) examination and respiratory system (R/S) examination – one system by the five-step method and the other by the SODOTO approach. Skill acquisition was tested by pre-validated checklists. Finally, feedback was collected on the perception of students using a pre-validated questionnaire. The data were analysed using GraphPad. Results: There was an average 20% improvement (P < 0.001) in the group taught by the five-step method compared to the one taught by the traditional approach (P/A – 45.14/60 [5.64] vs. 57.86/60 [1.83] [Group B vs. Group A]) (R/S examination – 26.17/40 [6.65] vs. 34.79/40 [3.56] [Group A vs. Group B]). Conclusion: George and Doto’s five-step method has been found to be more effective than the traditional SODOTO approach.

Mini-CEX como herramienta de evaluación / Mini-CEX as an assessment tool

El mini-CEX (mini clinical evaluation exercise) es un instrumento de evaluación del desempeño profesional a través de la observación directa del residente mientras participa de un encuentro con un paciente, la valoración de una serie de habilidades y destrezas clínicas con posterior devolución constructiva en su ámbito de trabajo. Se centra en seis competencias que el residente debe demostrar duran-te el encuentro con un paciente y requiere que el docente documente ese desempeño. Es fácil de aplicar por los docentes porque se integra bien a la rutina del día a día en los diferentes escenarios clínicos. El tiempo estimado de esta interacción no debe superar los 20 minutos y debe repetirse al menos 8 veces al año con cada residente por diferentes docentes en caso de decisiones sumativas. Es de vital importancia consensuar su implementación como iniciativa estratégica desde la dirección de la institución de salud, que los docentes definan de antemano qué competencias se van a evaluar y cuáles son los estándares de desempeño mínimo que deberán alcanzar los residentes. La confección de una base de datos con la información de los formularios completados nos permitirá monitorizar el proceso de evaluación y efectuar las medidas correctivas pertinentes.

The mini-CEX (mini clinical evaluation exercise) is a tool for assessing the professional performance of residents through direct observa-tion of resident-patient encounters, evaluating clinical skills, and providing subsequent feedback in the work setting. The exam focuses on evaluating residents' skills during a resident-patient meeting. The evaluator must document the resident's performance in six areas of competence. The exam is easy to apply as it fits in real-life settings in different clinical scenarios. The evaluation should not take more than 20 minutes, and each resident should have eight mini-CEX per year of training with varying faculties for summative decisions. It is extremely important that the board of directors of the healthcare institution reach a consensus to implement the mini-CEX as a strategic initiative. Faculties should previously define the competence areas to evaluate, and the minimum standards of residents' performance. A database constructed with all the forms completed will be helpful to monitor the evaluation process and make the necessary corrections.

An assessment of the efficacy of clinical skills simulation using standardized patient in teaching behavior management and modification skills in Pediatric Dentistry to dental undergraduate students A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial

Background: Clinical skills simulation (CSS) is an important tool in teaching and learning. The literature review showed a scarcity of research data regarding the use of CSS,in teaching, especially in dentistry. The use of CSS in dental teaching was found restricted to the use of low fidelity typhodonts fitted to phantom heads used in teaching cavity preparation and crown cutting. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of CSS using standardized patient in teaching behavior management and modification skills to dental undergraduate students. Settings and Design: This double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was undertaken among 3rd year dental undergraduate students, and the study was undertaken at the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry. Materials and Methods: Fifty, 3rd year BDS students were randomly allotted to simulation and nonsimulation groups. Baseline data regarding their knowledge in the behavior management of child patients were assessed. Simulation group was further divided into group of six students and underwent CSS with standardized patient. Pretest and posttest knowledge regarding behavior management was assessed in the simulation group using questionnaires approved by an expert committee. The results were analyzed to see if there is any improvement in their knowledge after CSS. Students in simulation and nonsimulation groups were assessed for their behavior management skills during patient management, by an independent observer, using a checklist. Statistical Analysis: Mean, standard deviation (SD), and unpaired student t-test were done to assess the baseline knowledge of students who participated in the study. Mean, SD, and paired t-test were used to compare the pretest and posttest score of students who underwent simulation. Mean, SD, and unpaired t-test were used to compare the behavior management skills of both groups of students. Results and Conclusions: The knowledge of students in both groups before the study was comparable with no statistically significant differences. There was a statistically significant improvement in the knowledge of students who underwent CSS regarding behavior management of child patients. The unpaired Student's t-test showed a significant difference in the behavior management skill of dental undergraduate students when treating a child patient. The students who underwent CSS fared better compared to students who were taught behavior management methods by traditional methods only. Clinical skill simulation using standardized patient is an effective adjunct to be used along with traditional method of teaching while teaching behavior management and modification skills to dental undergraduate students.

Training the skills of obstetric forceps delivery for resident doctors by using simulation teaching method / 中华医学教育探索杂志

In this study, 15 second-year resident doctors who had standardized training of OBGYN were taken as research subjects to discuss the effect of training resident doctors with obstetrics forceps by using simulation teaching method. The simulation teaching process includes theoretical study, theoretical examination, simulation teaching of forceps skills and Assessment of forceps skills. In theoretical study section: before learning to use forceps, the students acquired the theoretical knowledge by flipped teaching micro-video mode. In theoretical examination section: the mastery of basic clinical knowledge of using forceps was evaluated through online assessment. In simulation teaching of forceps skills: students who scored 8/10 points were admitted to enter the simulation teaching process, and they had practical training of scenario simulation skills in Clinical Skills Center. In assessment of forceps skills: the mastery of forceps skills was evaluated by standardized forceps delivery procedure items. The results showed that the students in the simulation teaching group had excellent teaching assessment results, and the resident doctors had more confidence in operating forceps independently, and the teaching effect was ideal, which could further promote the simulation teaching of obstetric clinical skills.

Practice and thinking of Otorhinolaryngology Clinical Skill Competition / 中华医学教育探索杂志

This paper introduces the clinical skill competition organized by the faculty of Otolaryngology Department of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and analyzes the main problems in implementing items of basic life support, single ear compression bandage, debridement and suturing, foreign body removal from pharynx and larynx area, nasal packing and hemostasis and comprehensive skills. According to contestants' performances, their abilities in clinical analysis and operating skills have been tested, and their professional humanities have been cultivated. Thus, the aim of "promoting learning through examination and substituting competition for practice" is achieved through the competition. Clinical skill competitions can be used widely as supplement form of medical education for its practicability, entertainment, innovation and interaction.

Investigation on the construction status of clinical skills training centers of general hospitals in Yunnan Province / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To investigate the construction status of clinical skills training centers of secondary and above comprehensive western hospitals in Yunnan Province, and to provide a basis for the scientific, specific and standardized construction and development of clinical skills training centers of hospitals at all levels in Yunnan Province.Methods:The evaluation index of the construction of clinical skills training center was established, and questionnaires were developed to investigate the current situation of the construction of clinical skills training center in the secondary and above comprehensive western hospitals in the whole province. SPSS 17.0 software was used for chi-square test.Results:According to the investigation, 79.1% (72/91) of secondary and above comprehensive western hospitals in Yunnan Province have established clinical skills centers of different scales, but 84.6% (77/91) of them have fewer than 50 teachers participating in clinical skills teaching each year, with weak faculty and big differences in the faculty of hospitals at all levels ( P<0.05). In 64.6% (84/130) of the centers, the simulated teaching courses are only single basic skill courses, and the training content is relatively single, with great differences in the current situation ( P<0.05). Only 33.0% (30/91) of the centers have initially established an internal quality control system, and there are statistically significant differences in the way of conducting quality evaluation ( P=0.023). Conclusion:The foundation of the connotation construction of the clinical skill center is to establish a complete, professional and gradient teaching team and a stepped clinical skills training curriculum system. The construction of a perfect internal quality control system is the vitality of the development of the clinical skill center, and scientific research is the source of the sustainable development of the center.

Influence of teachers' role change on simulation teaching effect of bone marrow puncture / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To explore the reform and practice of bone marrow puncture simulation teaching to improve the learning ability of undergraduates.Methods:In this study, 112 students in Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University were selected and divided into experimental group and control group. The control group received routine bone marrow puncture teaching and training, and the experimental group received bone marrow puncture teaching and training mainly to improve the students' practical ability. Evaluation indicators were teaching effect and teaching satisfaction. SPSS 22.0 was conducted for chi-square test and t test. Results:The students in the experimental group were better than those in the control group in preoperative preparation, puncture site selection, operation methods, precautions and understanding of examiner's questions ( P < 0.001), and the students in the experimental group were more satisfied with course design, classroom interaction, increasing learning interest and improving the mastery of operation skills than those in the control group were ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The role change of teachers and the simulation teaching of bone marrow puncture to improve the practical ability of undergraduates increases the students' enthusiasm for learning the operation of bone marrow puncture, improves the quality of teaching and the students' operation skills of bone marrow puncture, and promotes the comprehensive development of students, which is worthy of further promotion.

Application of standard operation procedure of thoracentesis in clinical skills training for undergraduates / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To investigate the application value of standard operation procedure (SOP) of thoracentesis in clinical skills training for undergraduates.Methods:In this study, 63 undergraduates were randomized into two groups, with 29 students in experimental group receiving SOP training, and 34 students in control group trained by traditional teaching methods. The performance of the two groups at different stages of thoracentesis were compared after the training. SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the assessment data.Results:The experimental group was significantly superior to the control group in the stages of "puncture operation" and "post-puncture operation" [(33.76±2.46) points vs. (31.91±3.60) points, P=0.02; (7.93±1.53) points vs. (6.79±1.84) points, P=0.01], as well as the total scores [(82.59±4.14) points vs. (79.26±4.94) points, P=0.01]. Conclusion:It's suggested that application of SOP may improve the effectiveness of thoracentesis training, and organized teaching methods are essential for clinical skills training.

Practice of flipped classroom combined with scenario simulation in teaching reform on four basic medical puncture techniques of clinical skills training / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of flipped classroom combined with scenario simulation in the teaching reform on four basic medical puncture techniques of clinical skills training.Methods:A total of 1 275 students majoring in five-year clinical medicine in Guangzhou Medical University were enrolled in the study. The control group (647 cases from Batch 2015) were given the traditional teaching pattern and the experimental group (628 cases from Batch 2016) adopted flipped classroom combined with scenario simulation. At the end of the course, the performance in the tests of four basic medical puncture techniques in the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) of the two groups were compared. The feedback and evaluation of this teaching mode in the experimental group were investigated by questionnaires. SPSS 19.0 was used for independent samples t test. Results:All the scores of the tests of four basic medical puncture techniques in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group: abdominocentesis [(87.89±7.13) vs. (82.60±10.74) points], thoracocentesis [(85.20±7.39) vs. (81.96±7.76) points], bone marrow aspiration [(88.13±6.00) vs. (83.50±9.63) points], and lumbar puncture [(91.91±7.19) vs. (80.74±12.20) points], with significant differences ( P<0.001). The results about the feedback and evaluation in the experimental group showed that the students gave an average score of 8.4 points to their satisfaction with the new teaching mode. The approval rates of the teaching effect evaluation items such as teaching arrangement, improving learning ability, improving clinical practice ability and school promotion were higher than 90.0%. Conclusion:Flipped classroom combined with scenario simulation, which is worthy to be popularized, can not only improve the students' performance in the tests of four basic medical puncture techniques in the OCSE, but also improve teaching satisfaction and teaching effect.

Impact of aesthetic suture techniques training in improving the suture quality of non-plastic surgeons / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect and necessity of aesthetic suture techniques training in improving the suture quality of non-plastic surgeons.Methods:The well-planned aesthetic suture techniques training programs were run in non-plastic surgery senior residents and attending surgeons at Peking University People＇s Hospital from January 2017 to January 2019. There were 120 senior residents and attending surgeons included (aged from 25-32 years, average 28.9 years, with 66 males and 54 females). Mixed teaching methods were used such as video shows, lectures, surgery live show and scenario simulation. Baseline tests were taken before the training. Suture quality tests were taken when the trainings came to the end. Self-assessments were carried out both before and after the trainings.Results:Eight rounds of aesthetic suture techniques training were accomplished and 120 trainees were included in all. One hundred and two trainees passed the test while eight failed, while 10 trainees were absent in some courses or the final test. The passing rate was 85.0%. The scales of suture tools and material selection, incision design, subcutaneous tissue suture quality, tension relaxation, aesthetic suture appearance, and flexibility of different suture techniques were sharply improved after the training in both subjective and objective assessments.Conclusions:The aesthetic suture techniques training is effective in improving the suture quality of non-plastic surgeons, which is worthy to generalize in resident training.

El desarrollo de la habilidad solucionar problemas de salud de carácter urgente en estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina / The development of skills to solve urgent health problems in the medicine student

RESUMEN Introducción: El egreso de un médico general competente demanda que desde el pregrado aprenda a solucionar los problemas de salud más prevalentes. Objetivo: Diseñar un sistema de tareas docentes que contribuya a que el estudiante de Medicina desarrolle la habilidad de solucionar problemas de salud de carácter urgente presentes en el paciente adulto. Método: En el curso escolar 2017-2018, en el servicio de Medicina Intensiva del Hospital General Docente "Dr. Agostinho Neto" se realizó un estudio de corte transversal y con enfoque cualitativo. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos, empíricos y matemático-estadísticos. Se hizo un pre-experimento en el que se aplicó un sistema de tareas docentes dirigido a satisfacer el objetivo que se declaró, en el que participaron 25 estudiantes seleccionados aleatoriamente. Resultados: La autoevaluación del estudiante y su examen de desempeño mostró que en el 64,0 % de ellos mejoró su preparación para este fin y logró el desarrollo de la habilidad. Conclusiones: Se fundamenta desde el punto de vista teórico que la solución de estos problemas de salud de carácter urgente adquiere el carácter de habilidad profesional para el médico dada su implicación en el modo de actuación profesional. Se diseña un sistema de tareas docentes que posibilita esta aspiración y se demuestra su viabilidad para su instrumentación en la práctica pedagógica.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The graduation of competent general practitioners demand from them the learning of skills to solve the most common urgent health issues from early stages of the undergraduate level. Objective: To design a system of teaching tasks aiming to the development of problem-solving skills in the medicine student regarding common urgent health problems in adult patients. Method: During the school year 2017-2018, a qualitative-focused cross-sectional study was undertaken in the intensive care service at the General Teaching Hospital ¨Dr. Agostinho Neto¨. In the research, theoretical, empirical and mathematical-statistical methods were used. A pre experiment was carried out, applying a system of teaching tasks aimed to the goals already set, in a group of 25 randomly-selected students. Results: Self-evaluation of the students, and their performance in the exams showed an improvement in 64.0% of them, and the development of the skills required. Conclusions: From a theoretical point of view, is obvious that the resolution of urgent health problems is a keystone skill in the practitioners, due to the importance it has in their career. On that path, a system of tasks is developed in order to show the students how to improve on these skills, and the viability to make this tasks into the current teaching program is proved.

Assessing the Need of an Integrated Research Assistance Program towards Aiding Students in the Progress of Medical Research during Undergraduate Studies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Aim: To assess the need of medical students for a research assistance program. Design and methods: This study was conducted at a medical college in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online questionnaire consisting of three parts: student demographics, students’ research proficiency, and problems faced when conducting research. Analysis: Data from the collected information was analyzed and all values of p<0.05, 95% confidence intervals for odds ratio that did not cross 1.00 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Students who participated in this study were 228 (response rate=57%). 60.5% (n=138) were male, and 28% (n=64) were in their first year of medicine. The majority were working on at least one to two researches, 81.1% (n=185), with 5.3% (n=12) having a study published. 83% of participants reported to be skillful at data collection and data entry. Devising a research idea was measures most difficult (49%). More female students were able to write a research proposal (n=57; 63.3%. p=0.022), and seniors were more capable in research than freshmen (p<0.001). Conclusion: Results demonstrated that students are active and well acquainted with research activities; 81.1% (n=185). In order to enhance research performance, we recommend offering the opportunity to share efforts with senior students or professionals to be appraised, be provided with information regarding supervisors’ research interests, and creating online platforms for improved knowledge transfer and communication between the parties involved.

Evaluation of Drug-related Knowledge and Clinical Skills among Future Healthcare Professionals

Background: The main objective of this study was to determine and compare current drug-related knowledge and clinical skills in terms of medication error identification among future healthcare professionals. Methods: Study participantswere asked to identify errors in three different prescriptions. Around 15 minutes were given to complete the questionnaire without using any references in a classroom setting. The medication error identificationrate was calculated based on the number of students that have identified the errors correctly.Results: Among 225 respondents, significant differences were found between the three groups,i.e. Prescription 1 p=0.001, Prescription 2 p=0.023, Prescription 3 p=0.024. Pharmacy students had highermedication erroridentification rate compared to medical and nursing students.Conclusion: Final year pharmacy students were found to have the best drug-related knowledge and clinical skills in terms ofmedication error identification

Evaluación de competencias del proceso formativo de los residentes utilizando el portafolio: una revisión de la literatura / Assessment of competencies of the residents' training process using the portfolio: a literature review

In the dynamic process of curricular changes and improvements in the different specialties, knowledge, skills, attitudes and values have been taken into account; that is why new forms of study, supervision and evaluation of doctors in training have to be integrated. Recent experiences in our country try to introduce professional portfolios as assessment- learning tools in specialized postgraduate training. The portfolio is an instrument for evaluating the residents' training process that allows not only evaluating competencies, but fundamentally identifying what we should improve, allowing us to monitor the training media as they advance in the acquisition and development of competencies so that become a tool focused on helping us learn and at the same time provide elements to value the participation of tutors and their influence on learners. In the process of planning, designing and reviewing the portfolios, the training centers find an excellent opportunity to make a self-assessment of the consistency of their curricular structure, the clarity of the competences they seek to form and the evidence they may require in the training of its residents.