OBJECTIVE

The competence of health workers to attend to vulnerable and marginalized populations is critical to health equity. The study determines the competence of physicians in providing health care to LGBT adolescents in a national tertiary hospital.

All physicians from the departments of Pediatrics and Family and Community Medicine were recruited. An electronic form collected demographic data and responses to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBTDOCSS).Theresponsesweresummarizedandanalyzed.

Most respondents are male, with a mean age of 34.21 years. They are mainly staff of the Department of Pediatrics and post- residency fellows. Not all recall their participation in gender sensitivity training. They report scores towards the higher end of the scale: an overall score of 5.27 and mean subscale scores of 4.43 for clinical preparedness, 6.13 for attitudinal awareness, and 5.24 for basic knowledge. The heterogeneity and pertinacity of their experiences with LGBT individuals mediate their attitudinal awareness. Attaining the level of consultant suggests a better understanding of barriers and disparities against LGBT individuals. The tool has good internal reliability.

The demographic profile of the respondents suggests their involvement in healthcare, continuing education, and staff development. They report adequate competence in providing health care to LGBT adolescents.

Comprehensive experiments course is a bridge for higher vocational students to integrate theoretical knowledge with production practice. The article introduces that our biological pharmacy department is committed to the principles of "promotion of teaching, learning and construction through skills competition so as to integrate education and training". By taking penicillin fermentation process as an example, reform has been made in several aspects including teaching objectives, teaching content and teaching methods. We integrate the practical operation of fermentation equipment with virtual simulation software to develop a two-way interactive course. By reducing the subjective dependence, the quantitative management and evaluation of fermentation process parameter control were put into place, which efficiently integrated the skills competition with practical teaching. Improved teaching performance has been achieved over recent years, which may facilitate the reform and practice of similar courses based on skills competition.
Humans ; Clinical Competence ; Learning ; Students ; Technology ; Biological Products

Objectives To learn the echocardiography skills of intensivists after receiving a basic critical care echocardiography training course, and investigate factors that may influence their performance. Methods We completed a web-based questionnaire that assessed the skills in ultrasound scanning techniques of intensivists who took a training course on basic critical care echocardiography held in 2019 and 2020. Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the factors which might affect their performance on image acquisition, recognizing clinical syndrome, and measuring the diameter of inferior vena cava, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral.Results We enrolled 554 physicians from 412 intensive care units across China. Among them, 185 (33.4%) reported that they had 10%-30% chance of being misled by critical care echocardiography when making therapeutic decision, and 34 (6.1%) reported that the chance was greater than 30%. Intensivists who performed echocardiography under the guidance of a mentor and finished ultrasound scanning more than 10 times per week reported significant higher scores in image acquisition, clinical syndrome recognition, and quantitative measurement of inferior vena cava diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral than those without mentor and performing echocardiography 10 times or less per week respectively (all P < 0.05).Conclusion The skills in diagnostic medical echocardiography of Chinese intensivists after a basic echocardiographic training course remain low, and further quality assurance training program is clearly warranted.
Humans ; Clinical Competence ; East Asian People ; Echocardiography/standards* ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Self-Assessment ; Physicians/standards* ; Internal Medicine/standards*

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

Background and Objective: Teaching clinical skills to undergraduate medical students has brought significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient discussion utilized hypothetical cases from history taking to diagnosis and management. Further, everything was delivered online. Target-Oriented Clinical Skill Enhancement (TOCSE) is a teaching and learning tool that integrates the basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, and pharmacology, at the clinical level. TOCSE has been proven to improve the clinical performance of fourth-year medical students. However, clinical confidence remains an issue, especially for medical students on pure online mode of learning during the pandemic. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine if TOCSE also facilitates the development of confidence in the clinical performance of 4th-year medical students during the first-time patient encounter after online undergraduate classes. Methods: Eight-item Clinical Performance Confidence Scale survey was performed at three (3) time points of fourth-year medical student’s rotation in the Department of Medicine: (1) prior to the deployment to the outpatient department (Pre-OPD), (2) after the first-time patient encounter without TOCSE workshop (Post-OPD no TOCSE), and (3) after the patient encounter with TOCSE workshop (Post-OPD with TOCSE). Mean and standard deviations were used to summarize the confidence level of the 4th-year medical students, based on the 10-point differential scale being 0 as not confident at all and 10 as very confident. Wilcoxon Signed Rank assessed improvements of confidence level from Pre-OPD to Post-OPD. Effect sizes were also calculated to compare the improvement in the items. All statistical tests were performed in SPSS version 26.0. P-values less than 0.05 indicate a significant increase in the confidence level of 4th-year medical students. Results: There is a significant increase in the clinical confidence of 4th-year medical students from Pre-OPD to Post-OPD no TOCSE (mean ± SD: 6.32 ± 1.02 to 7.06 ± 0.95, p<0.001). Comparing the eight items between Pre-OPD and Post-OPD with no TOCSE, performing a complete physical examination has the most remarkable improvement. Further, there is a significant increase in the clinical confidence of 4th-year medical students from Post-OPD no TOCSE to Post-OPD with TOCSE (mean ± SD: 7.06 ± 0.95 to 7.51 ± 0.89, p<0.001). The performance of a complete history-taking has the most considerable improvement (7.29 + 1.03 to 7.89 + 1.01, p<0.001). Correspondingly, the most significant increase in the clinical confidence of 4th-year medical students was seen among the Post-OPD with TOCSE compared to their Pre- OPD confidence scores (mean ± SD: 6.32 ± 1.02 to 7.51 ± 0.89, p<0.001). Among the eight items between Pre-OPD and Post-OPD with TOCSE confidence scores, the item on performing a complete physical examination has the most remarkable improvement (5.67 ± 1.37 to 7.20 ± 1.22, p<0.001), closely followed by performing a complete history-taking (6.53 ± 1.19 to 7.89 ± 1.01, p<0.001). The most significant improvements in clinical confidence were seen in all the items in the Post-OPD with TOCSE than in the Post-OPD with no TOCSE versus Pre-OPD confidence scores. In addition, with TOCSE, the number of medical students who scored 7.50 and above was amplified more than 3 times (17.4% to 58.7%, p<0.001, Pre-OPD vs. Post-OPD with TOCSE, respectively). Conclusion: Target-Oriented Clinical Skill Enhancement (TOCSE) effectively builds up confidence during first-time patient encounters among fourth-year medical students taught online with hypothetical cases during their undergraduate classes. Key words: Target-Oriented Clinical Skill Enhancement, clinical confidence, clinical skill, fourth-year medical students, medical undergraduate challenge, online teaching in COVID-19 pandemic
Clinical Competence

Objective: To evaluate the rationality and effectiveness of basic laparoscopic training under 5A teaching mode. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. The teaching records of 70 trainees who received basic laparoscopic traning at the Laparoscopic Surgical Training Base in Chinese PLA General Hospital from July to December 2019 were analyzed. All the trainees participating in the laparoscopy training had obtained the national practicing physician certificates, including 12 junior physicians of our center, 9 intermediate physicians of our center, 19 advanced physicians, 13 postgraduate students, 8 doctoral students, and 9 surgical standardized training physicians. A random number table method was used to divide all the trainees into two groups: the traditional teaching group or the 5A teaching group (35 people in each group). In the traditional teaching group, the training of 4 modules of " precise beans, quincuncial piles, ring positioning and knot-tying suture" modules according to a fixed sequence and schedule was carried out. Each module had a learning time of 8 hours. In the 5A teaching group, the training started from five dimensions of analysis, aim, accomplishment, appraise and advance. Before conducting each stage of training, the actual operation ability of the trainees was tested, each class hour was designed individually, accurate teaching was conducted to the trainees, the ability of the trainees was evaluated dynamically, and the previous steps were cycled periodically based on class hours. The operating time and pass rate of trainees of two groups in the basic operation module of laparoscopy were statistically analyzed, and a hierarchical analysis of related influencing factors was conducted. Results: The time of above modules before training in the 5A teaching group and the traditional teaching group was similar (all P>0.05). After definitive training, the time required for trainees in 5A teaching group and traditional teaching group to complete the 4 modules was shortened to varying degrees. Compared to traditional teaching group, 5A teaching group spent less time in completing each project [precise beans: (63.2±10.1) seconds vs. (83.6±18.7) seconds, quincuncial piles: (56.2±7.3) seconds vs. (101.4±31.7) seconds, ring positioning: (84.2±13.7) seconds vs. (127.3±28.5) seconds, knot-tying suture: (263.2±41.8) seconds vs.(428.8±95.2) seconds, all P<0.05], and had higher pass rates [precise beans: 97.1% (34/35) vs. 80.0% (28/35), quincuncial piles: 91.4% (32/35) vs.71.4% (25/35), ring positioning: 100.0% (35/35) vs. 82.9% (29/35), knot-tying suture: 77.1% (27/35) vs. 60.0% (21/35), all P<0.05]. Among the junior trainees (junior physicians of our center, postgraduate students, doctoral students, and standardized surgical training physicians) and intermediate trainees (intermediate physicians of our center and advanced physicians), the 5A teaching group completed 3 modules (quincuncial piles, ring positioning and knot-tying suture) faster than the traditional teaching group [junior trainees: quincuncial piles (76.4±12.4) seconds vs. (139.8±41.6) seconds, ring positioning (92.2±20.5) seconds vs. (131.3±28.4) seconds, knot-tying suture (293.8±66.7) seconds vs. (444.3±103.3) seconds; intermediate trainees: quincuncial piles (51.4±5.9) seconds vs. (94.7±8.6) seconds, ring positioning (63.9±13.5) seconds vs. (87.5±18.6) seconds, knot-tying suture (210.1±35.6) seconds vs. (367.5±54.9) seconds, all P<0.05]. Conclusion: 5A teaching mode can acheive better training results compared with the traditional teaching mode in basic laparoscopic training, and is worthy of further popularization and application.
Clinical Competence ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Prospective Studies ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures

BACKGROUND: Graduates of environmental health engineering should be able to manage Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and acquire the essential competencies during their studies at university. This study was performed to determine the expected competencies of environmental health graduates in a way to be able to manage environmental and Social Determinants of Health according to their job description. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed using Delphi technique. First, the literature review was done and the Delphi technique was performed in three rounds. The purposeful sampling was used and 50 people were selected among the specialists in the field of environmental health engineering and SDH. Participants answered an open-ended question, for the first round. Then, a questionnaire with 8 areas was designed based on the results of the first round and distributed for the second round. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The third round was done to reach the agreement on final items. RESULTS: The agreement on the items of the third round of Delphi was more than 70%. The final results showed eight competency areas under which 29 competencies were defined. Competency areas included expert knowledge, reasoning and planning, advocacy, system-based practice, professionalism, instructional expertise, social and personal skills and, research and self-development. The first three priorities of the required competency areas were expert knowledge (4.46 ± 0.55), professionalism (4.42 ± 0.64), and advocacy (4.32 ± 0.77). CONCLUSIONS It is necessary that environmental health engineers achieve necessary competencies regarding managing SDH, upon their graduation. It is suggested to integrate these competencies into the curriculum of environmental and health engineering in Iran universities.
Clinical Competence ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Curriculum ; Delphi Technique ; Environmental Health ; Humans ; Social Determinants of Health

Purpose: To connect didactic learning to clinical application is a challenging task both for the teachers and students. Target-Oriented Clinical Skill Enhancement (TOCSE) is a teaching and learning tool that integrates basic medical sciences at the clinical level. The authors sought to determine if TOCSE is effective in bridging didactic knowledge to clinical skill and enhancing the clinical performance of fourth year medical students.

Method: Between March 2021 and June 2021, in an online platform, the authors randomly allocated 141 fourth year medical students into the experimental (n=12 groups; n=63) and control groups (n=12 groups; n=78). Participants in the experimental group underwent the TOCSE module workshop while the control group utilized the standard method of teaching. The actively teaching faculty staff blinded of group allocation were invited to assess case presentations using a standardized rubric. A survey was done by the students (experimental and control) to evaluate how they perceived TOCSE to their performance and learning. Independent parametric t-test was performed to compare the clinical skill scores between the two groups.

Results: The experimental group had a mean clinical skill score of 35.29 (SD=2.64, excellent) while the control group had a mean clinical skill score of 31.96 (SD=4.04, satisfactory). The between-group comparisons using independent t-test indicated that the mean difference of -3.33 clinical skills scores between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant (t=-2.39, p=0.026, 95% CI=-6.22 to -0.45). Moreover, the perceived usefulness score (scale 10 as highest) among the TOCSE presenters (experimental groups) was 8.43 (SD=0.84) and scores among the TOCSE audience (control groups) was comparable at 8.36 (SD=0.71), both of which were interpreted as very helpful.

Conclusion: TOCSE is effective in bridging didactic knowledge to clinical skill and enhancing clinical performance of fourth year medical students.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a smartphone overdependence prevention program for college students based on the self-determination theory (SDT) and evaluate its effectiveness.METHODS: A non-equivalent control group repeated measures design was used for the study. Participants were 64 university freshmen (experimental group: 29, control group: 35). The developed program consists of eight sessions conducted twice a week. The program was designed to promote autonomy, competence, and relatedness the three elements of the basic psychological needs of self-determination theory. The participants were assessed before the program, immediately after, and 1 and 3 months after the program. Data were collected from April 23 to September 14, 2018 and analyzed by performing a Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 23.0.RESULTS: This study showed improvement in the basic psychological needs (F=3.90, p =.010) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Specifically, competence (F=2.93, p =.035), relatedness (F=2.89, p =.045), and self-regulatory ability (F=3.11, p =.028) improved significantly.CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate thatthe smartphone overdependence prevention program based on the Self-determination theory could be an effective intervention for improving basic psychological needs and self-regulation ability. Therefore, this program could be an efficient strategy for smartphone overdependence prevention in university students.
Humans ; Mental Competency ; Personal Autonomy ; Self-Control ; Smartphone

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to define and clarify the concept of political competence for nurses.METHODS: A hybrid model method was used to investigate the dimensions, attributes, and definitions of the concept. In the theoretical stage of the study, literature on nursing, politics, and other discipline were reviewed. In the fieldwork stage, individual in-depth interviews and focus groups interviews were conducted with politically seasoned experts or activists who had an understanding of the concept of political competence for extensive descriptions in nursing and field of health care.RESULTS: The concept of political competence was represented in four dimensions as political knowledge, political efficacy, political interaction, and political activity. In the political knowledge dimension, there were three attributes, namely, political knowledge, political information and systematic analysis ability. The political efficacy dimension had three attributes of internal political efficacy, external political efficacy, and self-pride of nursing profession. The political interaction dimension had three attributes of organizations and community service, networking, and persuasive power. The political activity dimension had six attributes of political leadership, political expression, assertive behavior, political advocacy, political participation, and policy intervention.CONCLUSION: This concept development might provide a basic understanding of developing a measurement tool and for constructing a theory promoting nurses' political competence.
Concept Formation ; Delivery of Health Care ; Focus Groups ; Leadership ; Mental Competency ; Methods ; Nursing ; Politics ; Professional Competence ; Seasons ; Social Welfare