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.

Desarrollo de un checklist de tareas específicas para el procedimiento ureterolitotomía endoscópica / Development of a task-specific checklist for endoscopic reterolithotomy

En el último tiempo, en la urología, ha ganado terreno la cirugía endoluminal que es menos invasiva pero técnicamente más compleja que la cirugía abierta. Esto sumado a la menor exposición a procedimientos prácticos de los residentes ha puesto la alerta en la necesidad de establecer mecanismos de evaluación objetivos de las competencias técnicas para garantizar la seguridad de los pacientes. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue desarrollar un checklist de tareas específicas para la evaluación del procedimiento ureterolitotomía endoscópica. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Para el desarrollo del checklist se utilizó el método de Delphi modificado que busca consenso entre expertos a través de la evaluación y revisión sucesiva de un formulario y el análisis estadístico de las respuestas. RESULTADOS: Con la participación de ocho urólogos expertos en procedimientos endourológicos de distintas instituciones del país se obtuvo un checklist de 23 ítems para el procedimiento ureterolitotomía endoscópica. CONCLUSIÓN: Se describe y presenta el desarrollo de un checklist de tareas específicas para el procedimiento ureterolitotomía endoscópica que permitirá la evaluación de residentes tanto en el laboratorio de simulación como en el pabellón quirúrgico.

In the last years, endoluminal surgery, a less invasive but technically more complex procedure, has gained ground in urology over open surgery. The reduction on exposure to practical procedures of residents has added an alert on the need to establish a mechanism for objective assessment of technical skills to ensure patients safety. The aim of this study was develop a tasks-specific checklist in order to assess resident performing endoscopic ureterolithotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The modified Delphi method was used for the development of the checklist. This technic tries to find a consensus among experts through the evaluation and subsequent revision of a questionnaire and the statistical analysis of the responses. RESULTS: Eight endourologists procedures experts from different institutions of the country participate on this study helping to develop a 23-item checklist for ureterolithotomy endoscopic procedure. CONCLUSIONS: We describe and present the development of a tasks-specific checklist for ureterolithotomy endoscopic that will allow the evaluation of residents in both simulation laboratory and surgical ward.

Current Status of the Clinical Simulation Laboratory at Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine and Affiliated Hospital / 医学教育

1)Our Clinical Simulation Laboratory (CSL) registered 19,085 training attendances with nurses accounting for the majority of trainees in first three years. Basic Life Support training experienced the highest demand.<br>2)CSL usage rose markedly in both spring and fall, showing three daily peaks (9 am, 10 am and 5 pm), and lasted for an average of one and a half hours per session.<br>3)The lending rate of the simulators to areas outside CSL came to about half of the internal use rate. The current simulator–based training program requires improvement to increase attendance by medical students and doctors.