Deficiency areas in decision making in undergraduate medical students

Abstract

BackgroundIn family medicine, decisions can be difficult due to the early presentation of often poorly developed symptoms or the presentation of undifferentiated conditions that require competencies unique to family medicine, such as; primary care management, specific problem-solving skills, and a comprehensive and holistic approach to be taught to medical students.PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess the decision-making process covering all theoretical aspects of family practice consultation and to recognize possible areas of deficiency in undergraduate medical students.Materials and methodsThis was a cross-sectional, observational study performed at the Medical School of the University of Maribor in Slovenia. The study population consisted of 159 fourth-year medical students attending a family medicine class. The main outcome measure was the scores of the students’ written reports on solving the virtual clinical case. An assessment tool consisted of ten items that could be graded on a 5-point Likert scale.ResultsThe final sample consisted of 147 (92.5%) student reports. There were 95 (64.6%) female students in the sample. The mean total score on the assessment scale was 35.1±7.0 points of a maximum 50 points. Students scored higher in the initial assessment items and lower in the patient education/involvement items. Female students scored significantly higher in terms of total assessment score and in terms of initial assessment and patient education/involvement.ConclusionUndergraduate medical education should devote more time to teaching a comprehensive approach to consultation, especially modification of the health behavior of patients and opportunistic health promotion to patients. Possible sex differences in students’ performance should be further evaluated.

Promotion of higher order of cognition in undergraduate medical students using case-based approach

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Family Medicine Education with Virtual Patients: a Qualitative Study

“…Among them, they have successfully implemented the uses of movies in medical education ( 9 ) and identified deficiencies in decision-making by undergraduate medical students. As a result of these studies greater emphasis in the curriculum has been given towards approaches to consultation, modification of health behavior, and opportunities for health promotion ( 10 ).…”

Computer-Based Case Simulations for Assessment in Health Care: A Literature Review of Validity Evidence

“…A total of 12 articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in full. Of the 12 articles, 4 articles represent studies that either utilized the original instrument in a subsequent study (Klemenc-Ketis & Kersnik, 2014) or based their study on a previous psychometrically analyzed instrument in a different population in order to provide further validation of a similar instrument (Fida & Kassab, 2015; Lin et al, 2013; Oliven, Nave, Gilad, & Barch, 2011).…”