Clinical experience of medical students in Children Emergency Room: A cross- sectional study at a University hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

ckground: The Children Emergency Room (CHER) is
a high-volume, fast-paced environment where children present
with acute illnesses. With the
paradigm shift in educational
models towards outcome-based
education, teaching and assessment of students must be structured to attain intended learning
outcome in every rotation.
Objective: This study assessed the
relationship between teaching
methods and learners’ satisfaction. We also identified challenges to CHER posting and
likely solutions.
Methods: This is a descriptive
cross-sectional study, using a
semi-structured anonymous feedback form to elicit perception of
learning objectives and adequacy
of teaching methods in CHER.
Adequacy of participation in
emergency care was assessed on a
4-point Likert scale. Bivariate
analysis for possible determinants
of adequate CHER posting satisfaction on a visual analogue scale
(VAS) was done. P-value < 0.05
was considered significant.
Results: A total 112 medical students participated in this study;
51.8% of them knew their specific
learning objectives on the first day
in the unit. The participants’ grand
mean score for learning satisfaction in CHER was adequate
(2.65±0.24). Their preferred teaching method was Bedside Teaching/
Clerkship (3.01±0.78) but they
were dissatisfied with simulations
(2.29±0.91) and participation in
emergency care (2.19±0.10). Participants in junior posting were
more satisfied than those in senior
posting (OR =3.45, 95% CI: 1.46- 8.15; p=0.005). A high workload
was identified as a challenge.
Conclusion: The overall clinical
experience of medical student in
CHER is satisfactory. Our study
however, shows that there is inadequate simulation-based teaching,
case presentation and participation
in case management by the medical students. Curriculum reforms
may be necessary to address these
identified gaps and improve clinical experience of medical students
in CHER.
Key words: Children emergency
room, medical students, clinic