Viewpoints of Undergraduate Anesthesia Bachelor Students (UABS) on Pre-clinical Skills Training: A cross sectional study Download PDF

Introduction: Because of the sensitivity and risks of interventions with anesthesia and surgery, the need for ensuring patient safety is very necessary. Increasing student numbers, and diversifying and reducing the repetition of procedures, pre-clinical skills training in the form of simulated practical activities should be seriously considered. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to acquire students' viewpoints regarding clinical skills training with a focus on the dimensions of time and place, instructors, simulation equipment, and educational planning in 2016. The sample comprised all UABS at Semnan University of Medical Sciences. In Iran, who have spent at least one course of their education in the pre-clinical skills training unit. The study instrument was a questionnaire consisting of 34 questions asking about students’ demographics and viewpoints on pre-clinical skills training. Results: The sample consisted of 88 students, of whom 62 (70.5%) were female and the rest were male. The average age of participants was 20.7 (range = 18-23) years. On a scale of 1 to 5, the UABS scored the pre-clinical skills education unit factors as follows: time and place of education, 3.57 (0.67=STD); instructors, 4.1 (0.74=STD); equipment and facilities, 2.97 (0.87=STD); and educational planning, 3.33 (0.81=STD). Conclusion: Equipment and facilities had the least utility for pre-clinical skills education in the viewpoint of students. Therefore, increasing the quality of simulation equipment and devices and making the pre-clinical skills room more similar to an operating room should be a priority for educational managers.