BMC medical education
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BMC medical education · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyComparison of high- and low equipment fidelity during paediatric simulation team training: a case control study.
High-fidelity patient simulators in team training are becoming popular, though research showing benefits of the training process compared to low-fidelity models is rare. We explored in situ training for paediatric teams in an emergency department using a low-fidelity model (plastic doll) and a high-fidelity paediatric simulator, keeping other contextual factors constant. The goal was to study differences in trainees' and trainers' performance along with their individual experiences, during in situ training, using either a low-fidelity model or a high-fidelity paediatric simulator. ⋯ Levels of equipment fidelity affect measurable performance variables in simulation-based team training, but trainee s' individual experiences are similar. We also note a reduction in the frequency of trainers' interventions in the scenarios as well as their mental strain, when trainees used a high-fidelity simulator.
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BMC medical education · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyClinical learning environment measurement for medical trainees at transitions: relations with socio-cultural factors and mental distress.
Measuring clinical learning environment is crucial for the quality improvement of medical education, especially for medical trainees at transition stages. Medical education in Taiwan is shaped by multiple socio-cultural influences. The aims of this study were to construct an instrument for measuring clinical learning environment in alignment with the local socio-cultural factors and medical training settings, and further investigate the relationship between the quality of the clinical learning environment and the status of mental distress among medical trainees. ⋯ Our study using CLENQ has identified five major factors of clinical learning environment that are closely linked with our local socio-cultural factors and medical training settings. Medical trainee's mental distress status was negatively correlated with the quality of CLENQ. These findings have socio-cultural relevance and medical contextual significance and might be applicable to other countries. It warrants further study to investigate the impact of clinical learning environment improvement on the medical trainee's mental distress and performance.
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BMC medical education · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyMedical professionalism in the formal curriculum: 5th year medical students' experiences.
The standards and outcomes outlined in the General Medical Council's publication 'Tomorrow's Doctors' include proposals that medical professionalism be included in undergraduate curricula. Learning the values and attitudes necessary to become a 'doctor as a professional' has traditionally been left largely to the informal and hidden curricula. There remains no consensus or confirmed evidence upon which to base best practice for teaching in this area. In 2010, as part of a revision of the fifth year curriculum the University of Bristol Medical School introduced tutorials which focused on students' achievement of the learning objectives in 'Tomorrow's Doctors Outcomes 3: the doctor as a professional'. This study sought to explore the students' experiences of these tutorials in order to develop the evidence base further. ⋯ A curriculum innovation which placed the achievement of medical professionalism in the formal curriculum was not unanimously embraced by students or faculty. Further consideration of the students' aversion to 'ticking-boxes' is warranted. With continued demand for increased accountability and transparency in medical education, detailed check-lists of specific learning objectives will continue to feature as a means by which medical schools and learners demonstrate attainment. Students' experiences and acceptance of these check-lists deserves attention in order to inform teaching and learning in this area. Learner and faculty 'buy in' are imperative to the success of curriculum change and vital if the students are to attain the intended learning objectives. Effective faculty development and student induction programmes could be employed to facilitate engagement by both parties.
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BMC medical education · Jan 2014
Performance of central venous catheterization by medical students: a retrospective study of students' logbooks.
Medical students often learn the skills necessary to perform a central venous catheterization in the operating room after simulator training. We examined the performance of central venous catheterization by medical students from the logbooks during their rotation in department of anesthesiology. ⋯ A student logbook is a useful tool for recording the actual procedural performance of students. From the logbooks, we could see the students' performance, challenges, satisfaction and confidence of central venous catheterization were improved through cumulative clinical practice of the procedure.
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BMC medical education · Jan 2014
Using an ACTIVE teaching format versus a standard lecture format for increasing resident interaction and knowledge achievement during noon conference: a prospective, controlled study.
The traditional lecture is used by many residency programs to fulfill the mandate for regular didactic sessions, despite limited evidence to demonstrate its effectiveness. Active teaching strategies have shown promise in improving medical knowledge but have been challenging to implement within the constraints of residency training. We developed and evaluated an innovative structured format for interactive teaching within the residency noon conference. ⋯ A structured ACTIVE teaching format improved resident engagement and initial knowledge, and required minimal resources. The ACTIVE teaching format offers an exciting alternative to the standard lecture for resident noon conference and is easy to implement.