Comparison between medical students' experience, confidence and competence
- 31 May 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Medical Education
- Vol. 36 (6), 534-539
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.2002.01228.x
Abstract
Objectives This study was undertaken to determine whether or not breadth of clinical experience and student levels of confidence were indicators of competency on standardized simulator performance-based assessments. Methods All students (n=144) attending an educational session were asked to complete a 25-point questionnaire regarding specific clinical experiences and levels of confidence in their ability to manage patient problems. For enumeration of clinical experiences, students were asked to estimate the number of times a situation had been encountered or a skill had been performed. For level of confidence, each response was based on a 5-point Likert scale where 1=novice and 5=expert. Students then participated in a standardized simulated performance test. Median and range were calculated and data analysed using Spearman rank correlations. A P-value <0·05 was considered significant. Level of confidence data were compared to performance during clinical rotation and to marks in the anaesthesia final examination. Results A total of 144 students attended the session, completed the questionnaire and participated in the standardized test. There were wide ranges of experience and confidence in the 25 listed items. Analysis of data showed good correlation between clinical experience and level of confidence. There was no correlation between clinical experience, level of confidence and performance in a standardized simulation test. Neither was there any correlation between level of confidence and clinical grades or written examination marks. Conclusions Clinical experience and level of confidence have no predictive value in performance assessments when using standardized anaesthesia simulation scenarios.Keywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Validity and reliability of undergraduate performance assessments in an anesthesia simulatorCanadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie, 2001
- Evaluation of medical students' performance using the anaesthesia simulatorMedical Education, 2000
- Testing Internal Consistency and Construct Validity During Evaluation of Performance in a Patient SimulatorAnesthesia & Analgesia, 1998
- Does volume of clinical experience affect performance of clinical clerks on surgery exit examinations?The American Journal of Surgery, 1996
- Relationships between studentsʼ clinical experiences in introductory clinical courses and their performances on an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)Academic Medicine, 1996
- Learning, experience, and self-assessment of competence of third-year medical students in performing bedside proceduresAcademic Medicine, 1994
- Medical studentsʼ confidence and the characteristics of their clinical experiences in a primary care clerkshipAcademic Medicine, 1993
- Factors influencing the communication skills of first-year clinical medical studentsMedical Education, 1991
- Comparing studentsʼ feedback about clinical instruction with their performancesAcademic Medicine, 1991
- A Comprehensive Anesthesia Simulation EnvironmentAnesthesiology, 1988