Journal article
Temporal changes in medical student perceptions of their clinical skills and needs using a repeated self-assessment instrument
BMC medical education, Vol.21(1), pp.1-550
10/29/2021
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-021-02985-1
PMCID: PMC8555323
PMID: 34715857
Abstract
Background Medical student needs in clinical skill training may change over time, but data on this topic are limited. This study uses repeated self-assessments on clinical rotations during medical school to evaluate students' perceptions of their clinical skill growth. Methods A self-assessment rating was completed by students during each clinical rotation as they progressed through their core clinical rotation year. The instrument consisted of questions on 5 clinical skill categories where students rated their performance as "below", "at" or "above" expected, and open-ended questions on strengths and challenges. We evaluated changes in self-ratings between the first (n=136) and third (n=118) quarters by matched-pair analysis of the shift in responses between time points using a Sign Test. We also identified the main themes from the students' responses to open-ended questions. Results We found 22.4 % and 13.3 % of students increased their self-assessment ratings on "Oral Presentation Skills" and on "Differential Diagnosis", respectively. In contrast, perceived ability to communicate with patients saw the largest negative shifts. "Patient Interaction" was the most commonly identified area of strength and "Knowledge and Organization" was most frequently cited as a barrier. Conclusions Students demonstrated a positive shift in perceived competence in some core clinical skills that are not strongly emphasized in the preclinical curriculum, likely reflecting increased exposure over time. However, their perceived competence in communication skills declined. This may reflect initial over-estimation or true decline due to competing needs/interests. These patterns of change can inform the design of longitudinal curricula that anticipate and address students' needs during clinical rotations, such as placing increased emphasis on presentation skills and differential diagnosis earlier in the curriculum, and adding more emphasis to communication skills in later phases.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Temporal changes in medical student perceptions of their clinical skills and needs using a repeated self-assessment instrument
- Creators
- Patrick Barlow - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of MedicineRobert Humble - University of IowaAmal Shibli-Rahhal - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- BMC medical education, Vol.21(1), pp.1-550
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12909-021-02985-1
- PMID
- 34715857
- PMCID
- PMC8555323
- NLM abbreviation
- BMC Med Educ
- ISSN
- 1472-6920
- eISSN
- 1472-6920
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 9
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/29/2021
- Academic Unit
- ICTS; Center for Social Science Innovation; Office of Consultation and Research in Medical Education; General Internal Medicine; Medicine Administration; Endocrinology and Metabolism; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984359866102771
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