Feasibility study on developing clinical pediatrics curriculum for medical students engaged in long schooling system in the pre-clinical stage / 中华医学教育探索杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the feasibility of developing clinical pediatrics curriculum for pediatric students at the pre-clinical stage, and to provide a basis for the subsequent curriculum construction.Methods:A total of 90 pediatric medical students were enrolled, including pre-clinical group (G1, third semester of the second year, n=47) and the clinical clerkship group (G2, seventh semester of the fourth year, n=43). A questionnaire survey was conducted to compare the two groups from three aspects clinical interest, learning methods and learning ability. And 24 and 20 students were randomly selected from the two groups to participate a clinical course respectively. Both of the formative evaluation and in-class test were carried out to compare the learning performance and learning effect between G1 and G2. SPSS 22.0 was used for data analysis. The counting data were described by case number and rate, and the frequency between groups was compared by chi-square test. When the chi-square test condition is not met, Fisher's exact test was performed. Normal distribution test was carried out for measurement data. Two independent sample t test was conducted for the comparison between groups of normal distribution data and Mann-Whitney U test for the comparison between groups of skewed distribution respectively. Results:There was no significant difference in clinical interest and pre-clinical interest between the two groups (Fisher's exact probability method, P=0.252, 1.000). There were partial differences in learning methods: G1 spent more time learning after class ( Z=-2.36, P=0.018), learned more in spare time ( Z=2.53, P=0.011), learned more on the homework ( P=0.020), and had a higher preview rate ( Z=-5.07, P < 0.001). There were also partial differences in learning ability G2 had better literature retrieval ability ( χ2=10.57, P=0.001); G2 had higher scores on class and extended class performance ( t=-3.18, P=0.004; t=-10.14, P<0.001). In terms of learning effect, G2 scored higher scores on only one multiple choice question ( t=-2.46, P=0.022). Conclusion:The pediatrics students at the pre-clinical stage have certain interest and ability to receive clinical pediatrics courses. Sufficient pre-class preparation and appropriate curriculum design are helpful to the early cultivation of student's clinical thinking.