Improving physicians' surgical ward round competence through simulation-based training

Marc Grünewald, Evelyn Klein, Alexander Hapfelmeier, Alexander Wuensch, Pascal O. Berberat, Martin Gartmeier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Ward rounds are an essential part of physicians' daily routine. Existing studies suggest that their practical implementation is inconsistent. Therefore, developing interventions to train ward round competence and assessing if they are effective educational tools are crucial goals for research. Methods: We analysed a simulation-based tutorial dedicated to fourth-year medical students, including casework and ward round simulation. We investigated the effectiveness of this intervention regarding ward round competence through a randomized controlled trial. Performance was assessed with the modified/validated surgical ward round assessment tool by two blinded and trained raters. Supplementary, motivation during the ward round tutorial was assessed for all students at different time points. Results: Analysis of the ratings show that, in contrast to the control group (pre: 66.1 vs. post: 64.8 points, p = 0.72), the ward round competence of the intervention group (pre: 62.6 vs. post: 69.6 points, p = 0.0169) improved significantly after participating in the ward round tutorial. Conclusion: The results show that our simulation-based training is an effective way to improve competence of medical students in conducting surgical ward rounds. Practice implications: Participation in ward round trainings is a valuable tool to prepare students for their future professional practise.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)971-977
Number of pages7
JournalPatient Education and Counseling
Volume103
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2020

Keywords

  • Simulation training
  • Undergraduate training
  • Ward round communication
  • Ward round competence
  • Ward round training
  • Ward rounds

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