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ABSTRACT: Objectives
In this study we aimed to analyse the structure and content of telephone consultations of final-year medical students in a high-fidelity emergency medicine simulation. The purpose was to identify any areas of deficiency within structure and content in the effective transfer of clinical information via the telephone of final-year medical students.Design
An educational study.Setting
Simulation centre in a medical school.Participants
113 final-year medical students.Primary and secondary outcomes
The primary outcome was to analyse the structure and content of telephone consultations of final-year medical students in a high-fidelity emergency medicine simulation. The secondary outcome was to identify any areas of deficiency within structure and content in the effective transfer of clinical information via the telephone of final-year medical students.Results
During phone calls to a senior colleague 30% of students did not positively identify themselves, 29% did not identify their role, 32% did not positively identify the recipient of the phone call, 59% failed to positively identify the patient, 49% did not read back the recommendations of their senior colleague and 97% did not write down the recommendations of their senior colleague.Conclusions
We identified a deficiency in our students skills to communicate relevant information via the telephone, particularly failure to repeat back and write down instructions. We suggest that this reflects a paucity of opportunities to practice this skill in context during the undergraduate years. The assumption that this skill will be acquired following qualification constitutes a latent error within the healthcare system. The function of undergraduate medical education is to produce graduates who are fit for purpose at the point of graduation.
SUBMITTER: Henn P
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3467639 | biostudies-literature | 2012
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Henn Patrick P Power David D Smith Simon D SD Power Theresa T Hynes Helen H Gaffney Robert R McAdoo John D JD
BMJ open 20120913 5
<h4>Objectives</h4>In this study we aimed to analyse the structure and content of telephone consultations of final-year medical students in a high-fidelity emergency medicine simulation. The purpose was to identify any areas of deficiency within structure and content in the effective transfer of clinical information via the telephone of final-year medical students.<h4>Design</h4>An educational study.<h4>Setting</h4>Simulation centre in a medical school.<h4>Participants</h4>113 final-year medical ...[more]