Abstract

MAZARRO, A.; GOMAR-SANCHO, C.  and  PALES-ARGULLOS, J.. Implementation of a centralized clinical skills laboratory at the Medical School of the University of Barcelona: Four years of experience. Educ. méd. [online]. 2009, vol.12, n.4, pp.247-256. ISSN 1575-1813.

Introduction: Medical School at the University of Barcelona defined learning outcomes and evaluated its acquisition by the students. Some lacks in several clinical skills and procedures have been detected. To improve clinical skills learning, medical school decided to implement a centralized skills centre. Materials and methods: We describe the different steps of the process of implementation of this centre and the development of an elective course on clinical skills and procedures, in order to acquire experience in the management of this center and to show to the teachers the usefulness of these facilities. Finally, we investigated the level of acceptance of this tool by teachers and students by using different kinds of questionnaires. Results: In the last four years about 1000 medical students per year (undergraduate and postgraduate) have been trained in the laboratory. Students consider that the center is an excellent tool to increase their individual competence in clinical skills and it is necessary to extend this tool to all students. For teachers, the center is a very useful tool to improve clinical training. Conclusions: Our experience has been positive and very useful in the curriculum change process carried out at present in our medical school. The experience could serve as a model for the implementation of skills centers in other Spanish Medical Schools. Medical School must increase the investment in order to improve the facilities and the accessibility of the center to all students and teachers.

Keywords : Clinical skills; Simulation; Skills centre; Undergraduate clinical training.

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