INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE-CLINICAL SKILLS

Communication skills – In addition, the discussion of specific problems in approaching and dealing with patients with different backgrounds (racial, social, religious, etc.), development of privacy, ethics and clinical medicine is encouraged

Theoretical explanation of each clinical operation (before the practical exercise) so that the indications, the choice of aids, the way of execution are understood 

Small working groups:

Practical exercise (Hands on training) on models and patients under supervision - guidance

Due to the number of students, courses 4-12 will be held cyclically in the semester (in parallel) so that students are in smaller groups.

Fixed task groups to ensure everyone's exposure to all practical exercises

Discussion and collaboration among group members on incidents selected by the teaching supervisor. Students without the instructor will work together to fully present the case using textbooks, articles, and computer-based tools.

Two to one/one training:

Two students will be followed by a faculty member in their clinical duties for a teaching day (shadowing). The purpose is the introduction and understanding of daily clinical practice in real conditions and the development of communication with faculty members.

Introduction to the use of digital aids in Medical education

Use of video tutorials

Use of preforms

– The examination / evaluation of the student takes place at the end of the course with their participation in the presentation of the case (30%) but also with the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) (70%) which consists of an evaluation of the skills through circular sequence of examination stations in the form of simulation (forms, simulated patients).

– The evaluation of the teacher by the student will be done with the special evaluation questionnaires

– The general assessment criteria are analyzed during the introductory course.

The "Introduction to Clinical Practice-Clinical Skills" course aims to meet specific and recognized educational needs as it has been pointed out at the level of the Medical Department of the University of Thessaly (teaching staff and students) and by external evaluations that:

a) Separating the basic from the clinical sciences from the first day and exposing them to the clinical environment after 3 years, creates in the students the feeling that they are being trained in something that has nothing to do with the function-profession of the Doctor they have chosen and pursued with exhaustive effort.

b) The education of medical students is strongly theoretical and weak in teaching clinical skills. Furthermore, the existence of a rigid separation, both in semester structure and content, between preclinical and clinical subjects was noticeable.

c) There is a need to introduce modern educational methods for medical students that include problem-based approaches in small groups of students, e-learning, better integration of preclinical and clinical subjects and a focus on clinical skills.

At the same time, the course strengthens the better harmonization of the Department's curriculum with the corresponding programs of foreign Universities, where "Introduction to Clinical Practice" is taught from the first or first years.

Learning objectives:

At the end of this course students will develop skills to:

• Communicate effectively and easily with patients and their families, overcoming communication difficulties (children, the elderly, foreigners, people with disabilities) with respect for the patients' privacy and diversity

• To understand the basic principles of medical history (intended – individual souvenir)

• Use personal protective equipment, follow proper hygiene practices when examining a patient and learn how to manage waste
• To place the patient and themselves in the appropriate position required for the examination by being in control of the physical examination – To examine the patient with respect and dignity, respecting their privacy, knowing and respecting the patient's autonomy
• To become familiar with the various aids used at a diagnostic and therapeutic level during the clinical evaluation and treatment of the patient (stethoscope, pressure monitor, nasogastric catheter, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, catheters, splints, urine test strips, etc.)
• Be able to take patients' vital signs
• Be able to perform blood draws - taking gas - blood cultures
• To be able to insert an IV catheter
• To be able to administer intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous treatment
• Be able to treat/change a wound by recognizing pathological conditions (inflammation, effusion, breakdown, etc.), remove sutures
• To make proper use of oxygen administration device - inhaled drug devices
• Be able to catheterize the bladder – fit a splint
• Communicate clearly and articulately with their colleagues and other members of the medical team and understand the importance of collaboration with colleagues as well as scientific debate by active participation in discussion groups
• Demonstrate ability to respond to questions generated in clinical practice using books, journals, articles and computer-based tools

General Skills

The course aims to:

• Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information (practical and theoretical)
• Skill development
• Decision making
• Autonomous work
• Teamwork
• Work in an interdisciplinary environment

Classes from 4-12 will consist of one hour of lecture and three hours of practice.
During the lecture, the clinical practice/skill, the tools-aids and the indications for its implementation (When and How) will be presented in connection with the already acquired knowledge (eg anatomy, physiology) in the respective subject.
The practice will include the use of special training videos of the skills and/or props where possible (eg catheterization) and finally exercise on patients under guidance.

Lessons 13 and 14: Teams with faculty member responsible for case selection, guidance and student presentation
Lesson 15. Following the specialist in his/her clinical activities: 1 (teacher) to 2 (students)

 Students are provided with Teaching Notes and “Power Point” files in electronic format

Additional Bibliography:

– Smyrnakis Emm., Moirasgenti M., Toufas K. Basics Clinical skills. UNIVERSITY STUDIO PRESS 2017; ISBN13 978-9-60-122339-1.

– James Thomas and Tanya Monaghan. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Examination and Practical Skills. OXFORD MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS 2014; ISBN 978–0–19–959397–2