Teaching of Manual Clinical Skills in Podiatric Medicine Theory and Recommendations

Evidence of validity for a Health Teaching Skills Scale

Abstract There are few studies found in the literature that analyze the university professor duties, specifically in the area of health. The purpose of this article was to describe the construction of a scale to evaluate the importance of health teaching skills and to seek evidence of validity using factorial (exploratory and confirmatory) analyzes based on the internal structure. The sample was composed by university students of Nursing and Medical courses (n = 315). The results indicated the presence of 4 factors that remained in the model after performing the confirmatory factorial analysis, which are: use of information and communication technologies in teaching (13 items, α = 0,87); Teaching in practical health scenarios (10 items, α = 0,81); Interpersonal relationship (6 items, α = 0,89); and Didactics (5 items; α = 0,63). We concluded that the instrument has initial evidence of validity and may be applicable in studies to diagnose the learning needs of university professors.

A BEME realist synthesis review of the effectiveness of teaching strategies used in the clinical setting on the development of clinical skills among health professionals: BEME Guide No. 61

Background: Literature describing the effectiveness of teaching strategies in the clinical setting is limited. This realist synthesis review focuses on understanding the effectiveness of teaching strategies used in the clinical setting.Methods: We searched ten databases for English language publications between 1 January 1970 and 31 May 2017 reporting effective teaching strategies, used in a clinical setting, of non-procedural skills. After screening, we used consensus to determine inclusion and employed a standardised instrument to capture study populations, methodology, and outcomes. We summarised what strategies worked, for whom, and in what settings.Results: The initial search netted 53,642 references after de-duplication; 2037 were retained after title and abstract review. Full text review was done on 82 references, with ultimate inclusion of 25 publications. Three specific teaching strategies demonstrated impact on educational outcomes: the One Minute Preceptor (OMP), SNAPPS, and concept mapping. Most of the literature involves physician trainees in an ambulatory environment. All three have been shown to improve skills in the domains of medical knowledge and clinical reasoning.Discussion/conclusions: Apart from the OMP, SNAPPS, and concept mapping, which target the formation of clinical knowledge and reasoning skills, the literature establishing effective teaching strategies in the clinical setting is sparse.

Importância das habilidades de ensino em saúde atribuída por estudantes e professores universitários

Resumo O artigo teve como objetivo analisar a importância atribuída às habilidades de ensino em saúde por estudantes e docentes universitários dos cursos de Enfermagem e Medicina. Os dados foram coletados em 2017 com base na aplicação de duas escalas de habilidades de ensino em saúde a 315 estudantes e 80 docentes. Foram analisadas, por meio de testes não paramétricos, diferenças entre grupos de estudantes (tipo de curso, de instituição e faixa etária) e de professores (tipo de curso, de instituição, tempo de atuação e tipo de prática docente). Os resultados indicaram elevada importância das habilidades de ensino em saúde tanto para professores quanto para estudantes universitários. Foram observadas, também, diferenças significativas entre estudantes dos cursos de Enfermagem e Medicina, de instituições públicas e privadas, assim como de professores com tempos de atuação e práticas docentes distintas. Esse resultado incentiva a realização de pesquisas que avaliem as habilidades de ensino em saúde adotadas em cursos universitários, pois contribuem diretamente para o desenvolvimento de ações de formação docente.

Self-directed learning and practice of Italian osteopathic students during summer break: a cross-sectional survey

Background

Self-directed learning is a student-centered approach based on the students’ evaluation about their own learning needs. Self-directed practice is a component of the self-directed learning which focus on achieving manual and practical skills. Given the abundance of manual skills that students need to develop in the osteopathic curriculum, self-directed practice has become an attractive methodology. Most of the Italian osteopathic educational institutions recognize two types of educational curriculum: T1, for students without a healthcare background; and T2 for students who are already healthcare professionals. The aim of the present study is to investigate the attitudes of Italian osteopathic students toward self-directed practice during the summer break highlighting the possible differences between T1 and T2 students.

Methods

A web-based closed-ended survey was administered to the students attending one of the Italian osteopathic educational institutions which accepted to participate in the research.

Results

Two hundred sixty-eight students on 2549 participated to the survey. 64.92% of the students reported to have performed self-directed practice during the summer break. The main difficulty encountered by students in approaching self-directed practice was ‘lack of people to exercise with’. Most of the students performed self-directed practice between 1 to 5 h per week. The most common clinical condition encountered was Low Back Pain. The anatomical area most approached was lumbar spine. The most commonly simulated tests were the articular mobility tests. The techniques in which students trained the most were muscle energy techniques. Significant difference was found in self-engagement to the self-directed practice between T1 and T2 students (p = 0.026), and in the reasons to perform self-directed practice (p = 0.027).

Conclusions

The results of this study could be useful to reveal some aspects of students’ academic education and future clinical practice. Therefore this paper can be a useful tool for the institutions to develop strategies to overcome the reported problems students have towards self-directed practice. For example it should be discussed the possibility for the students to observe some senior osteopaths during their practice or to plan to maintain an open tutored didactic environment during the summer break as an extracurricular activity.