Abstract Title
Developing a practical skills curriculum for medical students using a simulator-based medical education center

Authors

Anca Dana Buzoianu
Ofelia Mosteanu
Teodora Atena Pop
Valentin Muntean
Soimita Suciu

Theme

10II Simulator

INSTITUTION

University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Faculty of Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Background

The current Romanian medical teaching system confronts with several problems including lack of targeted courses for practical skills development and no links between education and health market needs.

Summary of Results
  • All relevant examinations, maneuvers, medical procedures were registered in a log-book which served also as an assessment tool.
     

     
  • Average performance improved significantly in written scores from premodule (64.57%) to postmodule (86.33%, P < .048).
  • The evaluation forms showed that practical skills, teamwork and the multidisciplinary management of acute medical and surgical situations were the main assets our students gained during these 2 modules.
  • Junior students (3rd year) showed the biggest improvement during the module.
Take-home Messages
  • —Provide feedback
  • —Give opportunities for repetitive practice
  • —Integrate simulation into overall curriculum
  • —Provide increasing levels of difficulty
  • —Provide clinical variation in scenarios
  • —Controlled environment
  • —Provide individual and team learning
  • —Define outcomes and benchmarks
Summary of Work
  • Starting with the academic year 2011-2012 we opened the first simulation center in Romania.
     

  • Within our curriculum, 2 modules were developed for teaching and assessing practical skills:
    • Basic practical skills (3rd year – the basic module)
    • Training in the practical skills center ( 6th year – the advanced module).
  • Both modules were mandatory and took a week to complete (2 ECTS credits, 25 hours -5 hours/day).
  • Final aim was to improve medical training in our university and to prepare the future graduates for general practice.
  • Before and post module evaluation forms were used to assess the improvement in practical skill level. Available Simulation Equipment consisted in Improvised Technology, Task Trainers and Low/Mid/High Fidelity Mannequins.
Conclusion
  • This significant change in medical students training was feasible incorporating modern educational theory (simulation).

  • The development of a new curriculum must take into account introducing an interdisciplinary training and a corresponding practical skills development.
Background
Summary of Results

Take-home Messages
Summary of Work

Conclusion
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