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South Asian Research Journal of Applied Medical Sciences (SARJAMS)
Volume-2 | Issue-04
Original Research Article
A Study of Self-Perceived Competence of Medical Interns in India
Dr. Harish Chander Bandhu, Dr. Seema Dutt Bandhu, Dr. Swati Raje, Dr. Gaganpreet Singh
Published : Aug. 7, 2020
DOI : 10.36346/sarjams.2020.v02i04.001
Abstract
Introduction: Internship is the period when a medical graduates acquires skills which enables him/her to become an effective physician of first contact of the community. However, new graduates go through this period only preparing for the post graduate entrance exam without acquiring many skills and practical knowledge. We conducted a cross-sectional study to document the self-perceived competence of the interns in performing the basic medical skills. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 70 medical interns graduating from a private medical college in North India. The interns who were willing to participate in the study were asked to state the level of their competence on a 3-point scale in a 95 point questionnaire .The questionnaire was divided as per clinical specialties and further sub-divided into competence in examination skills, core skills and knowledge, attitude and performance skills. Results: All the interns self-rated that they were competent in recording basic clinical variables, 60% percent students self-rated that they were fully competent in examination skills and core competencies of internal medicine but only 37.14% felt competent in knowledge and attitudinal skills. In surgery, more than 60% interns rated themselves to have good core competencies, 37.14% rated themselves to be competent in examination of surgical patients whereas only 28% interns rated themselves as competent in knowledge and attitudinal skills of surgery. Only one third interns self-rated that they had good examination skills pertaining to ENT and Ophthalmology. Similarly less than 20% interns self-rated that they were good at core competencies related to Ophthalmology and ENT departments. Conducting a normal vaginal delivery was considered a core competency of Ob-Gyn (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) department. Only 12 interns (27.8%) self-rated to be fully competent to do so, 51.4% interns self-rated that they had good examination skills and only 10% interns felt competent in knowledge and attitudinal skills of Ob-Gyn. Majority of the students rated themselves as having good examination skills and core competencies in pediatrics. Discussion: In the present study less than 60% interns rated themselves as competent in examination skills and core competencies in major clinical specialities except in Ob-gyn, while less than ten percent (9.3%) self evaluated their examination skills as poor. This implies that many of the graduates did not feel competent to carry out the role of a junior doctor with confidence. A variety of studies from other countries have found that many graduates feel inadequately prepared for the role of junior doctor [11-13] and criticisms that medical schools do not prepare graduates for early medical practice have been voiced many times. Conclusions: All the graduate medical doctors are not fully competent to perform the basic medical and surgical procedures. They are especially lacking in knowledge and attitudinal skills so medical educators need to stress on training the graduates in knowledge application and critical thinking.

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