Health knowledge made personal
 Traditionally in U.S. medical schools, the first 2 years focus on book-learning and the last 2 years focus on clinical experience. This follows the Flexner model of medical training. A growing trend in U.S. medical schools is the early integration of clinical experience into the first 2 years of medical school. Successful longitudinal integration depends on setting clear goals for basic clinical skills competency. Not much is known about what basic clinical skills medical students should have upon entering their traditional clinical clerkship rotations. This survey-based study from the University of Washington assessed 3 populations:
Response rates ranged from average to excellent. Generally a survey response of >70% is reasonable.
 Outcome Measures Skills assessed were divided into 3 categories. Each subject was asked to rank what level of preparation was expected for 3rd year students beginning their clinical clerkship. The rating scale ranged from 1 to 5 (1=none, 5= considerable preparation). 1. Basic Clinical Skills
2. Advanced Clinical Skills
3. Knowledge-Related
 Results There were some interesting statistically-significant findings.
Bottom Line In the upcoming age of vertical integration of clinical experiences throughout medical school, there should be more open communications about expectations of the 3rd year clerkship student. This is similar to the concept of handing off patients from one provider to another for further care. In this case, preclinical faculty are "handing off" students to clerkship directors for further education. We need to make sure that both parties are on the same page. Marjorie Wenrich1, Molly B. Jackson, Albert J. Scherpbier, Ineke H. Wolfhagen, Paul G. Ramsey, & Erika A. Goldstein (2010). Ready or not? Expectations of faculty and medical students for clinical skills preparation for clerkships Medical Education Online, 15 : 10.3402/meo.v15i0.5295 -
|
Write a comment:
|
