Students’ perception of Simulation-based learning in Clinical Skills Lab: A One-year institutional experience at Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College

Abstract

Background: Clinical skills laboratory offers great potential for undergraduate medical education by introducing the students to innovative teaching and learning strategies that efficiently fill the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. Our study aimed to assess the initial perceptions and experiences of medical students for the newly established clinical skills laboratory at FRPMC. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at FRPMC, with 100 medical students of the first-year M.B.B.S. participating in this study. During the academic year, study participants attended six modules from Feb to Dec 2020. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was given to each student at the end of the module. Data has been reported as Mean ± SD and an internal consistency evaluation form for each variable was calculated. Results: A total of 100 students participated in the study, 90% of the study participants agreed that their overall skill lab experience of training in the skills lab was satisfactory. 68% of respondents felt that instructors play an important role in organizing and structuring the course material, and 58 to 61% said that the clinical skills training simulates a hospital setting where practicing on real patients would take place. The pre-reading materials and instructions should be provided in advance, according to 64% of students. Conclusion Students’ perceptions and experiences of teaching clinical skills were generally positive. Students showed overall satisfaction over the motivational conducive environment, content taught, gaining confidence, learning procedural skills, and adequacy of the educational equipment for learners in the newly established CSL at FRPMC.