Práctica clínica vs. simulación clínica: ¿qué impacto tienen en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes de Medicina?

Abstract

Introduction

Despite advances in traditional learning, we don't demonstrate changes in student's behavior. With simulation, students develop tools that improve attitudes and performance of medical competencies.

Methods

This prospective and descriptive study evaluated the medical competencies of 81 medical students by conducting a mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX), direct observation evaluation technique composed of 7 domains. All students perform 3 mini-CEX: at the beginning of the course before performing either simulation (SIM) or clinical practice (PC), in the middle of the course after performing simulation or clinical practice, and at the end of the course after performing both.

Results

The average ratings were 2.7 in mini-CEX stage 1, 6.2 in stage 2 after SIM, and 2.5 in stage 2 after PC, and 7.2 in stage 3 after both SIM and PC. Approximately 29.6% of students passed the assessment satisfactorily or better in stage 1, 96.3% in stage 2 after SIM, 25.8% in stage 2 after PC, and 97.4% in stage 3.

Students who initially performed PC throughout the course had average assessment rates of 2.6 in mini-CEX stage 1, 2.5 in stage 2, and 6.4 in stage 3. Students who initially performed SIM, had average assessment rates of 2.8, 6.2 and 7.6 in stage 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Conclusions

Simulation allows a significant improvement in medical skills. Students develop tools through simulation, that applied to real clinical practice achieve an even greater impact on these medical competencies.