Competence Of Medical Students Research Articles

Objective Structured Clinical Examination to Assess Patient Safety Competencies of Japanese Medical Students: Development and Validation Argument.

Background The growing emphasis on improving patient safety over the past two decades has received more focus in the undergraduate curricula, and the appropriate assessment of patient safety competencies at graduation is crucial in competency-based medical education. However, there is no valid method for assessing patient safety competencies because current assessment methods in medical education focus less on behavior. The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a method to assess clinical performance and has been implemented by medical schools in Japan for summative assessment at graduation. However, stations with sufficient validity to assess patient safety competencies have not yet been developed. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate, under a contemporary validity framework, an OSCE station for assessing patient safety competencies that students are expected to achieve at graduation from medical schools in Japan. Methods A validity argument was conducted using Messick's validity framework, which includes content, response process, relations to other variables, internal structure, and consequences. First, we applied a modified Delphi study to develop OSCE stations for assessing patient safety competencies based on the national model core curriculum at graduation. The panel survey recruited members who have expertise in clinical education and patient safety. The draft stations simulated various situations associated with patient safety. Final-year medical students then took the OSCE. We analyzed the results of the OSCE, compared the scores with those of the clinical reasoning examination, and evaluated its reliability. Results Out of 30 panelists, 22 (73.3%) fully participated in the Delphi rounds. After two Delphi rounds, we established four stations to assess patient safety competencies. They met the content dimension of the validity framework. The OSCE results showed low correlation with clinical reasoning, suggesting that patient competencies cannot be inferred from clinical reasoning. Each station had satisfactory reliability. The entire process minimized possible assessment bias. Conclusions The OSCE scenario designed through the modified Delphi study met the five criteria of Messick's validity framework. The results show that it is a valid strategy for assessing patient safety competencies at graduation.

STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SECOND MODULE IN THE "INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH WORK" COURSE (“MEDICINE” PROGRAM)

Providing access to quality education is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations to be achieved by 2030 (Goal №4: Quality Education – “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”). The unique aspect of higher medical education is that its quality also supports the fulfillment of another SDG (Goal №3: Good Health and Well-being). Higher medical education is dynamic, with a growing global trend toward increasing the emphasis on scientific knowledge within educational programs. In leading countries, courses are being developed that actively incorporate the study of research methods in medicine. The introduction of new educational components aimed at developing scientific competencies in medical students represents a promising approach to improving the quality of education. The aim of this study was to analyze and characterize the structure of the second module in the course “Individual Scientific Work” within the educational and professional program “Medicine”. In preparing the manuscript, the authors employed the following general scientific theoretical research methods: analysis, synthesis, concept comparison, abstraction, and generalization. The primary goal of studying Module №2, “Methods of Researching Pathological Changes in Organs and Systems”, as part of the “Individual Scientific Work” in the educational and professional program “Medicine”, is to develop students’ skills in the methodology of conducting medical research. The thematic plan for Module №2 includes the following topics: Methods of registering functional changes in organs and systems; Methods of researching metabolic disorders; Methods of studying the development of oxidative stress in various organs and systems; Study of changes in the production and signaling of gas transmitters, including nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide. In conclusion, it should be noted that the structure and content of the second module of the course “Individual Scientific Work” in the context of professional program “Medicine”, developed by the Department of Pathophysiology at Poltava State Medical University, align with the requirements of modern higher medical education.

Impact of a National Virtual Oncology Course on Medical Student Competency and Interest in Oncology.

Globally, surveys have identified that medical learners of all levels perceive their oncology instruction to be inadequate. To address these gaps, we systematically developed and implemented the Oncology National Course for Advocacy, Research, and Education (ONCARE), a novel, nationally organized virtual course available to all Canadian medical students and evaluated its impact on oncology competency and interest. ONCARE was designed utilizing Kern's Six-Step Model for Curriculum Development. Components of ONCARE included lectures, career panels, and a mentorship program. Pre-course and post-course survey responses were collected to determine course impact on oncology knowledge and interest. Between October 2023 and March 2024, ONCARE enrolled 235 students representing 14 Canadian medical schools. One hundred forty (60%) students enrolled reported having only 0 to 10h of formal oncology instruction. Baseline interest in a career in oncology was high (mean Likert score 3.9/5) and remained unchanged following course completion. ONCARE increased both self-perceived knowledge in clinical oncology (mean Likert score 3.9/5 vs 2.9/5, p < 0.001) and confidence in oncology communication skills (mean Likert score 3.6/5 vs 3.1/5, p < 0.001). Ninety-seven percent of students were satisfied with the course (mean Likert score 4.6/5). The implementation of ONCARE as a proof-of-concept initiative builds upon previous educational interventions in oncology and highlights important principles for the development of related initiatives. Future work will target greater interdisciplinary and multinational collaboration as well as long-term follow-up of the ONCARE cohort.

Effectiveness of hybrid simulation training on medical student performance in whole-task consultation of cardiac patients: The ASSIMILATE EXCELLENCE randomized waitlist-controlled trial

BackgroundAssessment of comprehensive consultations in medicine, i.e. a complete history, physical examination, and differential diagnosis, is regarded as authentic tests of clinical competence; however, they have been shown to have low reliability and validity due to variability in the real patients used and subjective examiner grading. In the ASSIMILATE EXCELLENCE study, our aim was to assess the effect(s) of expert tuition with hybrid simulation using a simulated patient wearing a novel auscultation vest, i.e. a hybrid simulated patient, and repeated peer grading using scoring checklists on student learning, performance, and acumen in comprehensive consultations of patients with valvular heart disease.MethodsASSIMILATE EXCELLENCE was a randomized waitlist-controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment undertaken between February 2021 and November 2021. Students at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in either the second or third year of the four-year graduate-entry medical degree programme were randomized to a hybrid simulation training or waitlist control group and undertook three consultation assessments of three different clinical presentations of valvular heart disease (cases: C1–C3) using hybrid simulation. Our primary outcome was the difference in total score between and within groups across time; a secondary outcome was any change in inter-rater reliability across time. Students self-reported their proficiency and confidence in comprehensive consultations using a pre- and post-study survey.ResultsIncluded were 68 students (age 27.6 ± 0.1 years; 74% women). Overall, total score was 39.6% (35.6, 44.9) in C1 and increased to 63.6% (56.7, 66.7) in C3 (P < .001). On intergroup analysis, a significant difference was observed between groups in C2 only (54.2 ± 7.1% vs. 45.6 ± 9.2%; P < .001), a finding that was mainly driven by a difference in physical examination score. On intragroup analysis, significant improvement in total score across time between cases was also observed. Intraclass correlation coefficients for each pair of assessors were excellent (0.885–0.996 [0.806, 0.998]) in all cases. Following participation, students’ confidence in comprehensive consultation assessments improved, and they felt more prepared for their future careers.ConclusionsHybrid simulation-based training improves competence and confidence in medical students undertaking comprehensive consultation assessment of cardiac patients. In addition, weighted scoring checklists improve grading consistency, learning through peer assessment, and feedback.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05895799

Proposed Nutrition Competencies for Medical Students and Physician Trainees: A Consensus Statement.

In 2022, the US House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution (House of Representatives Resolution 1118 at the 117th Congress [2021-2022]) calling for meaningful nutrition education for medical trainees. This was prompted by increasing health care spending attributed to the growing prevalence of nutrition-related diseases and the substantial federal funding via Medicare that supports graduate medical education. In March 2023, medical education professional organizations agreed to identify nutrition competencies for medical education. To recommend nutrition competencies for inclusion in medical education to improve patient and population health. The research team conducted a rapid literature review to identify existing nutrition-related competencies published between July 2013 and July 2023. Additional competencies were identified from learning objectives in selected nutrition, culinary medicine, and teaching kitchen curricula; dietetic core competencies; and research team-generated de novo competencies. An expert panel of 22 nutrition subject matter experts and 15 residency program directors participated in a modified Delphi process and completed 4 rounds of voting to reach consensus on recommended nutrition competencies, the level of medical education at which they should be included, and recommendations for monitoring implementation and evaluation of these competencies. A total of 15 articles met inclusion criteria for competency extraction and yielded 187 competencies. Through review of gray literature and other sources, researchers identified 167 additional competencies for a total of 354 competencies. These competencies were compiled and refined prior to voting. After 4 rounds of voting, 36 competencies were identified for recommendation: 30 at both undergraduate and graduate levels, 2 at the undergraduate level only, and 4 at the graduate level only. Competencies fell into the following nutrition-related themes: foundational nutrition knowledge, assessment and diagnosis, communication skills, public health, collaborative support and treatment for specific conditions, and indications for referral. A total of 36 panelists (97%) recommended nutrition competencies be assessed as part of licensing and board certification examinations. These competencies represent a US-based effort to use a modified Delphi process to establish consensus on nutrition competencies for medical students and physician trainees. These competencies will require an iterative process of institutional prioritization, refinement, and inclusion in current and future educational curricula as well as licensure and certification examinations.

35 Impact of a National Virtual Oncology Course on Medical Student Competency and Professional Identity Development

35 Impact of a National Virtual Oncology Course on Medical Student Competency and Professional Identity Development

Integration of ChatGPT Into a Course for Medical Students: Explorative Study on Teaching Scenarios, Students' Perception, and Applications.

Text-generating artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT offers many opportunities and challenges in medical education. Acquiring practical skills necessary for using AI in a clinical context is crucial, especially for medical education. This explorative study aimed to investigate the feasibility of integrating ChatGPT into teaching units and to evaluate the course and the importance of AI-related competencies for medical students. Since a possible application of ChatGPT in the medical field could be the generation of information for patients, we further investigated how such information is perceived by students in terms of persuasiveness and quality. ChatGPT was integrated into 3 different teaching units of a blended learning course for medical students. Using a mixed methods approach, quantitative and qualitative data were collected. As baseline data, we assessed students' characteristics, including their openness to digital innovation. The students evaluated the integration of ChatGPT into the course and shared their thoughts regarding the future of text-generating AI in medical education. The course was evaluated based on the Kirkpatrick Model, with satisfaction, learning progress, and applicable knowledge considered as key assessment levels. In ChatGPT-integrating teaching units, students evaluated videos featuring information for patients regarding their persuasiveness on treatment expectations in a self-experience experiment and critically reviewed information for patients written using ChatGPT 3.5 based on different prompts. A total of 52 medical students participated in the study. The comprehensive evaluation of the course revealed elevated levels of satisfaction, learning progress, and applicability specifically in relation to the ChatGPT-integrating teaching units. Furthermore, all evaluation levels demonstrated an association with each other. Higher openness to digital innovation was associated with higher satisfaction and, to a lesser extent, with higher applicability. AI-related competencies in other courses of the medical curriculum were perceived as highly important by medical students. Qualitative analysis highlighted potential use cases of ChatGPT in teaching and learning. In ChatGPT-integrating teaching units, students rated information for patients generated using a basic ChatGPT prompt as "moderate" in terms of comprehensibility, patient safety, and the correct application of communication rules taught during the course. The students' ratings were considerably improved using an extended prompt. The same text, however, showed the smallest increase in treatment expectations when compared with information provided by humans (patient, clinician, and expert) via videos. This study offers valuable insights into integrating the development of AI competencies into a blended learning course. Integration of ChatGPT enhanced learning experiences for medical students.

Effects of a skin type diversity seminar on undergraduate medical students’ self-assessed competence in managing skin diseases in patients with skin of color

BackgroundSkin diseases in patients with skin of colour (Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI) are underrepresented in dermatology training, which may lead to lower quality of care for these patients. To address this underrepresentation in medical education, a newly developed seminar on skin type diversity using an interactive teaching method was implemented in an undergraduate medical curriculum. This study examined the effects of a seminar on the self-assessed competence of medical students in managing skin conditions in patients with skin of colour.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among fourth-year undergraduate medical students at the University of Hamburg (Germany) between October 2023 and February 2024. Students’ self-assessed competence was compared before and after the obligatory seminar (pre- and post-design).ResultsIn total, 158 students participated in the survey. After the seminar, knowledge of the presentation of skin diseases in patients with skin of colour and the associated psychological burden, differences in the incidence of skin diseases in different skin types, and the ability to diagnose skin diseases in darker skin types increased. Most participants stated that they wanted to attend more courses on this topic.DiscussionAppropriate courses for medical students can improve their competence in managing different skin diseases in patients with skin of colour. In the future, more attention should be paid to teaching the diversity of skin types in dermatology education.

Assessing the interplay of presentation and competency in online video examinations: a focus on health system science education

BackgroundThe integration of Health System Science (HSS) in medical education emphasizes mastery of competencies beyond mere knowledge acquisition. With the shift to online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased emphasis on Technology Enhanced Assessment (TEA) methods, such as video assessments, to evaluate these competencies. This study investigates the efficacy of online video assessments in evaluating medical students’ competency in HSS.MethodsA comprehensive assessment was conducted on first-year medical students (n = 10) enrolled in a newly developed curriculum integrating Health System Science (HSS) into the Bachelor of Medicine program in 2021. Students undertook three exams focusing on HSS competency. Their video responses were evaluated by a panel of seven expert assessors using a detailed rubric. Spearman rank correlation and the Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were utilized to determine correlations and reliability among assessor scores, while a mixed-effects model was employed to assess the relationship between foundational HSS competencies (C) and presentation skills (P).ResultsPositive correlations were observed in inter-rater reliability, with ICC values suggesting a range of reliability from poor to moderate. A positive correlation between C and P scores was identified in the mixed-effects model. The study also highlighted variations in reliability and correlation, which might be attributed to differences in content, grading criteria, and the nature of individual exams.ConclusionOur findings indicate that effective presentation enhances the perceived competency of medical students, emphasizing the need for standardized assessment criteria and consistent assessor training in online environments. This study highlights the critical roles of comprehensive competency assessments and refined presentation skills in online medical education, ensuring accurate and reliable evaluations.

Enhancing Assessment towards Flexible Medical Education: A Deep Dive into Preclinical Short Answer Questions through Item Analysis

Short answer questions (SAQs) and other forms of similarly structured examination methods are employed as evaluation tools to gauge the competency of medical students at various levels of study. However, item analyses for these questions have rarely been conducted. Evaluating the quality of examination questions through item analysis ensures that stakeholders, especially those undergoing learning in various flexible pathways in medical education, are provided with reliable and relevant assessments, promoting effective learning and competency development. In this study, we performed item analyses on SAQs by extracting the passing index (PI) and discrimination index (DI) for each sub-question. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, United States) and Jeffreys’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP) (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Twentyseven sub-questions from five SAQs were analysed. The DI of the sub-questions ranged from 0.043 to 0.935 with a mean of 0.449 ± 0.223, while the PI returned a range of 0.012 to 0.971 with a mean value of 0.597 ± 0.246. In conclusion, the SAQs administered during a professional examination of preclinical medical students exhibited an acceptable range and mix of PI and DI values. However, improvements must be made to the sub-questions that return poor PI and DI values.

Incorporation of Trauma-Informed Care Into Entrustable Professional Activities for Medical Student Assessment.

Trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a medical framework for addressing and mitigating the negative consequences of trauma. In response to student and faculty advocacy, medical schools are developing trauma-informed curricular content. However, medical education literature does not present a comprehensive assessment rubric to evaluate medical students' acquisition of trauma-informed clinical skills. A committee of medical students, trainees, and faculty developed a longitudinal TIC curricular theme at Harvard Medical School (HMS). Guided by the National Collaborative on Trauma-Informed Health Care Education and Research competencies, the committee created a set of medical student TIC competencies from July to December 2019. From November 2021 to November 2022, 3 committee subgroups generated new TIC descriptors for each HMS entrustable professional activity (EPA), then circulated these to other subgroups, external experts, and stakeholders for review and feedback. From April to June 2023, the committee iteratively reviewed the materials until reaching consensus for content and pedagogy. The committee integrated TIC content into HMS's existing EPAs expected of students, provided anchoring descriptions of each level, and achieved consensus using a process of iterative review with TIC content experts. The committee identified 10 TIC competencies and revised all 13 general HMS EPAs to include specific items based on these competencies. The committee incorporated at least 1 trauma-informed competency into each HMS EPA. This novel set of HMS EPAs provides a framework for assessment of TIC clinical skills. Faculty will be trained to correctly and reliably incorporate TIC competencies into patient care and to use the TIC-inclusive EPAs for student assessment, ensuring that TIC is standard medical practice at HMS. This work may facilitate the adoption of trauma-inclusive EPAs by other institutions to educate the next generation of physicians to practice TIC and thus promote a more accessible, safe, and equitable health care system.

“Global challenge program” projects themed on preventing zoonosis: developing One Health core competences in medical students at SJTU

Abstract Objectives To develop One Health (OH) core competencies in medical students, Shanghai Jiao Tong University has conducted an OH practice project named the “Global Challenge Program” (GCP) for three years. This study aims to understand the outcomes and challenges of the pilot projects, thereby providing evidences to support the expansion of One Health education program on a larger scale. Methods We conducted a questionnaire survey to a purposive sample of 48 participants who were involved in GCP projects. A questionnaire was designed to assess the effect of GCP projects on improving the core competencies of OH professionals. It consists of 32 questions divided into four categories: basic information, overall assessment, communication skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Statistical analysis was conducted and reported based on the data collected from the survey. Results A total of 42 students (87.5 % of 48 participants) completed the follow-up survey. Among them, 64.3 % perceived a significant improvement in their understanding of the OH concept and approach after participating in the GCP projects. Benefiting from the communication opportunities offered by the GCP projects, 24.0 % and 49.0 % of the students reported significant and moderate improvement in their international communication abilities, respectively. In addition, 74 .0% of the students noted that the GCP projects greatly enhanced their capabilities in interdisciplinary cooperation and systematic thinking in addressing complex health issues. Conclusions The GCP project has served as a pilot initiative for participatory OH education, contributing to the development of OH core competencies in medical students, particularly in systems thinking, international communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. However, generalizing the experience of the pilot project to a large-scale education program for medical students requires careful revisit of the gaps of resources and talents in curriculum building and project operation.

Enhancing Facial Filler Training with 3D-Printed Models: A Prospective Observational Study on Medical Student Competence.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the efficacy of 3-dimensional (3D) printed facial models in training medical students for cosmetic facial filler applications. A prospective observational study included 40 medical faculty students without prior filler application or surgical training. They received theoretical and practical training using 3D-printed face models, assessed through pre- and post-training surveys. MATERIAL AND METHODS Facial models were designed using SolidWorks and printed with a Mars 2 PRO 3D printer using PLA filament and high-performance silicone. Training comprised in-class instruction, live demonstrations, hands-on practice, and individual guidance. Students' skills were assessed through self-assessments and objective criteria. RESULTS After training, students showed significant improvement in procedural understanding and application locations, with increased confidence and competence (P<0.001). Statistical analysis confirmed these improvements. CONCLUSIONS 3D-printed facial models are valuable for enhancing medical students' skills in cosmetic facial fillers, offering cost-effective and safe simulation. This approach improves practical skills and confidence, benefiting medical education and patient care.

Assessing professional behaviors: a self-administered scale for medical students during clerkships

BackgroundMedical professionalism is a core competency for medical students during clerkships for further professional development. Given that the behavior-based framework could provide clear insight and is easy to assess, the study aimed to create a self-administered scale to measure the professional behaviors of medical students during their clerkships.MethodsA comprehensive literature review on medical professional behaviors in English or Chinese and Delphi interviews were used to develop the initial version of the Self-Administered Scale for Professional Behavior of Medical Students During Clerkships. The reliability and validity analysis based on a survey of medical students from China, Cronbach’s α calculations, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) specifically were conducted to finalize the scale. The associations of professional behaviors with gender, medical programs, and clerkship duration were examined using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.ResultsWe included 121 studies and extracted 57 medical professionalism assessment tools, initially forming a pool of 48 items. To refine these items, eighteen experts participated in two rounds of Delphi interviews, ultimately narrowing down the item pool to 24 items. A total of 492 participants effectively completed the questionnaire. One item was removed due to its correlated item-total correlation (CITC) value, resulting in a final scale containing 23 items with six domains: Respect, Altruism, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity, Duty, and Excellence. The overall Cronbach’s alpha value was 0.98, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 for each domain. The fit indices (χ2/df = 4.07, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.08, and SRMR = 0.02) signified a good fit for the six-domain model. Medical students’ professional behavior was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.03) and clerkship duration (p = 0.001).ConclusionThe scale was demonstrated to be reliable and valid in assessing the professional behaviors of Chinese medical students during clerkships.

Exploring moral competence regression: a narrative approach in medical ethics education for medical students

BackgroundStudies from different countries report a stagnation or regression of moral competence in medical students between the first and the last year of their studies, and the value of various educational interventions remains uncertain.MethodsWe used Moral Competence Test (MCT) to measure C-scores of moral competence to determine the change in the MCT C-scores between the first- and the fifth-year medical students from two medical schools in the Czech Republic in the academic year 2022/2023 and to analyze factors associated with the C-scores (observational study). In addition, for the first-year students, we compared the results of the MCT before and after an intervention in medical ethics curriculum (interventional study). We used a cross-sectional and descriptive design for the observational study. Students completed the MCT, consisting of two moral dilemmas (Worker´s Dilemma and Doctor´s Dilemma), the results measured by the C-score, which represents moral competence.ResultsIn total, 685 students participated in the observational study. Objective 1: based on the analysis of the C-score, we observed a decrease in moral competence between the first and the fifth-year medical students (p < .001). Objective 2: we did not observe a statistically significant effect of gender (p = .278), or self-rated religiosity (p = .163). Objective 3: in the interventional study, 440 students participated in the pretest and 422 students participated in the posttest. The test of statistical significance found no improvement in students’ moral competence after the intervention (p = .253).ConclusionMedical students show a regression in moral competence during medical education; it was lower in medical students in their fifth year, compared to the first-year medical students without the effect of gender, or self-rated religiosity. Although educational intervention consisting of multiple tools of medical ethics teaching (PBL, CBL, KMDD and StorED) did not lead to increase in moral competence, the longitudinal effect of such intervention remains to be seen.

Enhancing the Central Venous Catheterization Competency of Medical Students through a Specialized Team and an Interactive Response System: A pre-post study.

Central venous catheterization (CVC) is a critical clinical procedure. To avoid complications, possessing good knowledge regarding the CVC care bundle and skills for the proper insertion and maintenance of CVC are important. To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention and the use of an interactive response system in enhancing the CVC bundle care and insertion skills of medical students undergoing critical care medicine training. Sixth-year medical students (equivalent to fourth-year students in the United States) engaged in didactic lessons, interactive demonstrations, and simulator training facilitated by a CVC team comprising three thoracic and two vascular surgeons (all with a minimum 5 years of experience in central venous access) during their intensive care unit (ICU) rotation. Self-reported knowledge and confidence levels were assessed using pre-and posttests administered through the Zuvio App, an interactive response system. A total of 60 students underwent the educational intervention, of which 54 completed the pretest and 40 completed the posttest. In the posttest, significant improvement was found in the CVC bundle care competency and understanding (P = 0.002), preprocedural preparation (P = 0.002), insertion procedures (P = 0.004), complications (P = 0.003), and insertion depth decisions (P = 0.001). Staff and students reported that assessment and interaction via the Zuvio App were valuable, practical, and feasible in a clinical setting, providing trainees with an individual competency portfolio of receiving precise medical education. Integrating the training provided by a specialized team with an interactive response system enhanced the knowledge and competency level in CVC insertion among medical students in this study.

Core sepsis-related competencies for medical students: an international consensus by Delphi technique

BackgroundSepsis is a life-threatening condition which may arise from infection in any organ system and requires early recognition and management. Healthcare professionals working in any specialty may need to manage patients with sepsis. Educating medical students about this condition may be an effective way to ensure all future doctors have sufficient ability to diagnose and treat septic patients. However, there is currently no consensus on what competencies medical students should achieve regarding sepsis recognition and treatment. This study aims to outline what sepsis-related competencies medical students should achieve by the end of their medical student training in both high or upper-middle incomes countries/regions and in low or lower-middle income countries/regions.MethodsTwo separate panels from high or upper-middle income and low or lower-middle income countries/regions participated in a Delphi method to suggest and rank sepsis competencies for medical students. Each panel consisted of 13–18 key stakeholders of medical education and doctors in specialties where sepsis is a common problem (both specialists and trainees). Panelists came from all continents, except Antarctica.ResultsThe panels reached consensus on 38 essential sepsis competencies in low or lower-middle income countries/regions and 33 in high or upper-middle incomes countries/regions. These include competencies such as definition of sepsis and septic shock and urgency of antibiotic treatment. In the low or lower-middle income countries/regions group, consensus was also achieved for competencies ranked as very important, and was achieved in 4/5 competencies rated as moderately important. In the high or upper-middle incomes countries/regions group, consensus was achieved in 41/57 competencies rated as very important but only 6/11 competencies rated as moderately important.ConclusionMedical schools should consider developing curricula to address essential competencies, as a minimum, but also consider addressing competencies rated as very or moderately important.

Virtual Reality Simulation for the Acquisition and Retention of Electrocardiogram Interpretation Skills: A Randomized Controlled Trial Among Undergraduate Medical Students.

Introduction The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most important tools in diagnosing cardiac abnormalities, particularly arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. It is one of the certifiable competencies for final-year medical undergraduate students. We determined virtual reality's effectiveness in acquiring and retaining ECG interpretation skills among medical students compared to traditional teaching. Methods One hundred and forty students were randomized into two groups. Seventy-one students (immersion group) were trained using virtual reality simulation to acquire and retain interpretation skills of normal and abnormal ECG. Sixty-nine students(traditional group) were trained in the classroom using chalk and board. The primary outcome of change in acquiring knowledge of the interpretation of ECG was determined by comparing pre and post-test scores. The secondary outcome of retention of knowledge was determined by comparing pre-test and second post-test scores conducted after eight weeks of intervention. The p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results Out of 140 students, 50 (35.7%) were males and 90 (64.3%) were female. The mean age of the students was 22.1 (SD1.1), with 69.3% of them between the ages of 21 and 22 years.Mean pre-test scores for the interpretation of normal ECG among immersion and traditional groups were 9.8(SD8.4) and 8.3(SD7.5), respectively, and post-test scores for the acquisition of knowledge were 24.3(SD5.5) and 24.8(SD6.3), respectively. The post-test scores for retention skills were 25.3(SD5.6) and 20.7 (SD6.9) respectively (p<0.001).The mean pre-test scores for the interpretation of abnormal ECG of both groups were 7.0(SD6) and 8.3 (SD6.6), respectively. Mean post-test scores for acquiring knowledge to interpret abnormal ECG were 23.5(SD6.2) and 17.7 (SD9), respectively(p<0.001), and mean post-test scores for retention of interpretation skillsof abnormal ECG were 19.2 (SD - 6.9) and 13.3 (SD10.2) respectively (p=0.001). The pairwise comparison of the immersion group indicates that all the combinations that changed in score from the pre to post-intervention time points, from pre-to-retention time, and from the post-to-retention time were significant (p<0.001). Conclusion Virtual reality teaching had a better impact on acquiring and retaining the skill for interpreting normal and abnormal electrocardiograms.

Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Training in the Pandemic Era: Feasibility, Satisfaction, and the Road Ahead.

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are essential assessments for evaluating the clinical competencies of medical students. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant disruption in medical education, prompting institutions to adopt virtual formats for academic activities. This study analyzes the feasibility, satisfaction, and experiences of pediatric board candidates and faculty during virtual or electronic OSCE (e-OSCE) training sessions using Zoom video communication (Zoom Video Communications, Inc.,San Jose, USA). This is a post-event survey assessing the perceptions of faculty and candidates and the perceived advantages and obstacles of e-OSCE. A total of 142 participants were invited to complete a post-event survey, and 105 (73.9%) completed the survey.There was equal gender representation. More than half of the participants were examiners.The overall satisfaction with the virtual e-OSCE was high, with a mean score of 4.7±0.67 out of 5. Most participants were likely to recommend e-OSCE to a friend or colleague (mean score 8.84±1.51/10).More faculty (66.1%) than candidates (40.8%) preferred e-OSCE (P=0.006). Transitioning to virtual OSCE training during the pandemic proved feasible, with high satisfaction rates. Further research on virtual training for OSCE in medical education is recommended to optimize its implementation and outcomes.

Integration of socioemotional competencies in medical training: a case study on the assessment of an educational intervention in a disciplinary course

Background Medical education faces the challenge of integrating socioemotional competencies into its curriculum to train more complete and humane health professionals. This study evaluates the impact of an educational intervention aimed at medical students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, focusing on the development of these competencies through the hidden curriculum of a physiology course. Methods The intervention adopted an integrated curricular design that included collaborative projects, guided debates, reflective journals, and role exchanges. A total of 31 undergraduate students participated, assessed before and after the intervention with the Adult Emotional Competence Inventory (AECI) and standardized disciplinary knowledge tests. The analysis focused on five areas: emotional awareness, emotional regulation, emotional autonomy, social competence, and life and well-being competencies. Results Significant improvements were observed in emotional awareness, emotional regulation, and emotional autonomy after the intervention, with no notable changes in social competence and life and well-being skills. Standardized test scores showed an increase, but there was no significant correlation with the development of emotional competencies. Conclusions The intervention was effective in enhancing certain socioemotional competencies in medical students, although it was not directly reflected in academic performance. It highlights the need for specific strategies to address all emotional competencies and suggests the importance of future research to better understand these dynamics within the educational field. Emotional education emerges as an essential component in medical training, fostering more resilient and empathetic professionals.