1.Self-reported confidence in general competencies and skills of clinical clerks of a private medical school for SY 2021-2022: A cross-sectional study
Aena Marii C. Besilia ; Aljun Clar O. Bitay ; Alyssa Louise V. Bometivo ; Dominique Anne B. Bongala ; Aileen Q. Briones ; Therese Justine A. Bruel ; Danessa Margaret L. Buco ; Vince Albert A. Buenviaje ; Joseph Lorenz Z. Cabinta ; Ronina Franne N. Cada ; Jose Ronilo Juangco ; Suzette M. Mendoza
Health Sciences Journal 2023;12(2):85-94
Introduction:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical schools shifted to blended learning. This study
aimed to determine the demographic and level of confidence of a private medical school’s clinical clerks
of School Year 2021-2022 on general competencies and skills.
Methods:
The study aimed to identify the skills that exhibited the highest and lowest levels of confidence
among a group of 139 clinical clerks. Additionally, it sought to examine whether there were significant
differences in confidence levels based on sex and prior clinical experience. An analytical cross-sectional
study design was employed using a Google Form as the data collection tool.
Results:
The clerks were most confident in handwashing, and least in NGT insertion, performing digital
rectal examination (DRE), and suturing. Females were more confident in history taking of obstetric and
gynecologic, surgical, and medical patients, physical examination of pediatric patients, and preparing
a discharge summary, while males were more confident in performing digital rectal examination. Clerks
with prior medical experience were significantly more confident in foley catheter insertion, intravenous
insertion, blood extraction, suturing, and performing essential intrapartum and newborn care (EINC)
than those without. The results aligned with previous studies since clerks with prior experience were
able to practice the skills in a psychomotor sense.
Conclusion
The study revealed significant differences in the confidence level on the competencies and
skills for medical practice between sex and prior medical experience.
Clinical Competence