Progress Toward Improving Medical School Graduates' Skills via a "Boot Camp" Curriculum Journal Article

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Authors: Wayne, D. B.; Cohen, E. R.; Singer, B. D.; Moazed, F.; Barsuk, J. H.; Lyons, E. A.; Butter, J.; McGaghie, W. C.
Article Title: Progress Toward Improving Medical School Graduates' Skills via a "Boot Camp" Curriculum
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Medical school graduates are expected to possess a broad array of clinical skills. However, concerns have been raised regarding the preparation of medical students to enter graduate medical education. We designed a simulation-based "boot camp" experience for students entering internal medicine residency and compared medical student performance with the performance of historical controls who did not complete boot camp. METHODS: This was a cohort study of a simulation-based boot camp educational intervention. Twenty medical students completed 2 days (16 hours) of small group simulation-based education and individualized feedback and skills assessment. Skills included (a) physical examination techniques (cardiac auscultation); technical procedures including (b) paracentesis and (c) lumbar puncture; (d) recognition and management of patients with life-threatening conditions (intensive care unit clinical skills/mechanical ventilation); and (e) communication with patients and families (code status discussion). Student posttest scores were compared with baseline scores of postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) historical controls to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS: Boot camp-trained medical students performed significantly better than PGY-1 historical controls on each simulated skill (P 0.01). Results remained significant after controlling for age, sex, and US Medical Licensing Examination step 1 and 2 scores (P 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-day simulation-based boot camp for graduating medical students boosted a variety of clinical skills to levels significantly higher than PGY-1 historical controls. Simulation-based education shows promise to help ensure that medical school graduates are prepared to begin postgraduate training.
Journal Title: Simulation in healthcare : journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1559-713X; 1559-2332
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2014
Start Page: 33
End Page: 39
Language: eng
DOI/URL:

10.1097/SIH.0000000000000001

10.1097/SIH.0000000000000001
Notes: JID: 101264408; ppublish