ResearcherID - CLICK HERE Scientific Journal Impact Factor (SJIF-2020) - CLICK HERE

PERCEPTION OF HOUSE OFFICERS ABOUT THEIR PREPAREDENSS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Rabia Javed, Dr. Samina Asghar, Dr. Shawana Shahid, Dr. Aasma Naeem, Dr. Maryam Nawaz, Dr. Ujala Saleem

Abstract: Objective: The fundamental aim of any primary medical educational programme is to adequately prepare medical students for clinical practice. Concerns have been growing about whether the fresh graduated medical students are ready to start their work as a clinician or not. The medical graduating vary in their preparedness for their first exposure towards clinical work as house officers. This study aimed to review whether they perceived themselves as being well prepared for clinical practice or not. Study Design: Observational descriptive cross-sectional survey study Place & Duration Of Study: It was a one month study carried out during the month of June 2018 in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Methodology: Using convenient sampling technique, a population of 100 doctors was selected. A self-designed questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was administered and participants were asked to indicate to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the statements. The data was analysed using SPSS-22 software. Result: The overall response rate was 95%(95/100).The house officers felt well prepared with regards to history taking, physical examination skills, proper counselling of patients, various clinical procedures and application of medical ethics into clinical practice. On the other hand, they felt deficiencies in the diagnoses and effective management of acute and chronic disorders as well as prescription of safe medicine in medical and surgical emergencies. Majority of them were not satisfied with the current clinical learning methods at their respective medical schools and suggested that the learning strategies be changed. They felt that their responsibility as a house officer exceeded their capability also that they were not being provided proper guidance by their supervisors. Conclusion: The house officers felt prepared in some domains of clinical practice whilst felt shortcomings in others. It is surely incumbent upon the concerned medical educators to look for a way whereby these learning deficiencies can be mitigated and the situation be taken care of. Within some limitations and constraints, students must be provided with the opportunity to make proper meaningful contributions towards the patient management, as perceived preparedness is crucial and it influences the behaviour of fresh medical graduates and therefore warrants careful consideration. Key Words: perceived preparedness, house officers, clinical practice.

FULL TEXT