<p>Self-Perceived Confidence of Medical Students Communicating with Pediatric Patients in a 7-Week Pediatric Placement: A Pilot Survey</p>

Abstract

Background: Pediatrics is a specialty reserved until later stages of the medical curriculum, with many students receiving early exposure via volunteering opportunities. Self-perceived confidence across the pediatric curriculum is crucial, due to limited clinical exposure before qualification. We aimed to assess the impact of a 7-week pediatric placement on medical students' self-perceived confidence and factors that influenced self-perceived confidence. Methods: We conducted a prospective pilot survey on three cohorts of fifth-year students undertaking pediatric placements in 2018. A two-part questionnaire was distributed before and after the placement, evaluating the level of self-confidence in clinical skills using a 10-point scale. Results: Of 103 students, 62 (60%) students completed both questionnaires. Of these, 34 (55%) students reported previous professional experiences with children. There was a significant increase in self-reported confidence scores across ten questions before (mean 5.4 [IQR 4.1-6.1]) and after the placement (7.6 [6.6-8.5], p<0.0001). Subgroup analyses between students with prior professional experience with children and those without revealed a significant difference in preplacement confidence in four pediatric practices: verbal communication, physical engagement, asking sensitive or probing questions, and explaining medical management (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in postplacement confidence between these two groups. Conclusion: Medical students with prior professional experience with children reported higher self-confidence in interacting with pediatric patients prior to placement. However, a large and consistent increase in confidence across the cohort was such that there were no measurable differences at exit. This study supports the value of undergraduate pediatric training in promoting student self-confidence in managing pediatric clinical issues.

“Teddy Bear Hospital Project” school visits improve pre-clerkship students’ comfort explaining medical concepts to children

“…5 Medical students with limited prior experience with children are less comfortable interacting with children in a clinical context. 6,7 Given there are limited opportunities to communicate directly with children in pre-clerkship curricula, we aimed to investigate whether: 1) the University of Ottawa's (uOttawa) adaptation of the TBHP was effective in increasing pre-clerkship students' comfort communicating medical topics to young children; 2) the…”

Determinants of pharmacists' confidence to participate in antimicrobial stewardship: A confirmatory factor analysis

“…11,[49][50][51] Medical students found increased self-confidence in paediatrics after undertaking adequate training and gaining placement experience. 19 Pharmacy students reported higher self-perceived confidence in nonclinical skills following education in those skills. 52 Pharmacists providing nutritional care had higher self-perceived confidence in knowledge and skills in this area if they had received nutrition education.…”

“…Effective education and practical experience have been shown to increase health professionals' self‐perceived confidence 11,49–51 . Medical students found increased self‐confidence in paediatrics after undertaking adequate training and gaining placement experience 19 . Pharmacy students reported higher self‐perceived confidence in non‐clinical skills following education in those skills 52 .…”

“…therefore contribute to health professionals' lacking competence in that activity. 19 Low self-perceived confidence can prevent pharmacists from taking on new tasks and responsibilities. In situations where pharmacists are identified as being able to effectively fulfil a role, they do not always take on these roles and contribute to their full potential.…”

“…In contrast, low self‐confidence in undertaking certain activities, such as patient communication, can reinforce poor performance and therefore contribute to health professionals' lacking competence in that activity 19 . Low self‐perceived confidence can prevent pharmacists from taking on new tasks and responsibilities.…”