Abstract P-060: PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE CLINICAL SKILLS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS: A COMPARISON OF SELF-REPORTED CONFIDENCE AND OBSERVED COMPETENCE

Abstract

Aims & Objectives: Simulation-based training has been recommended and used to improve patient safety worldwide. Newly introduced training simulation program has been started for final year medical students at our institution. We aim to determine the relationship between self-reported confidence and observed competence for a number of pediatric clinical procedures such as lumbar puncture, intraosseous infusion, nasogastric tube, umbilical venous catheterization and suprapubic aspiration. Methods A group of 65 medical students in their final year was studied. All of them had attended the comprehensive week of pediatric intensive care course using simulation-based training. All subjects completed a questionnaire measuring their confidence in performing skills. A competence-based assessment exam was used to measure competence levels. Comparison was made between their perceived self-reported levels of confidence and their assessment of competence using Wilcoxon’s test. All students, instructors, and examiners were blinded to the study design and objectives Results Different ranges of competence levels were revealed by the clinical assessments. There was no correlation between medical students’ self-rating confidence and their measured competencies as in Table 1. Also, the results showed that medical students with lower level of confidence have a higher level of competence despite their perception.Conclusions Medical students demonstrated a broad range of competence levels for several practical procedures. There is no relationship between their self-reported level of confidence and their formally assessed performance. These results shows higher level of competence and support the implantation of this educational program as standard curriculum, also necessitate the need for positive feedback and increase confidence levels among medical students.