Enhancing Pediatric Interns' Clinical Skills Through Simulation-Based Training

Abstract

Background: Situational simulation teaching enhances students' practical skills and clinical decision-making by replicating real-world scenarios. Pediatric practice often involves complex, dynamic situations, making it crucial for students to gain experience in a controlled environment where repeated practice can develop clinical expertise.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of situational simulation in pediatric clinical practice by comparing its impact on trainees' skills with that of conventional teaching methods.

Methods: A total of 52 pediatric trainees were randomly assigned to two groups: one participating in situational simulation training and the other receiving traditional instruction over a six-week period. A mixed-method approach, including formal assessments and Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises (Mini-CEX), was used to assess knowledge, clinical abilities, and overall competencies. A feedback survey was also administered to the simulation group to evaluate the impact of simulation-based training on their learning outcomes.

Results: Theoretical exam performance was comparable between both groups, with no significant difference (p > 0.05). However, the situational simulation group showed significant improvements in key skills compared to the traditional group: medical history taking (26.92% vs 69.23%, p = 0.005), clinical judgment (19.23% vs 46.15%, p = 0.011), doctor-patient communication (26.92% vs 61.54%, p = 0.025), and overall clinical competence (19.23% vs 57.69%, p = 0.009). The simulation group also reported higher satisfaction and demonstrated superior competency in practical assessments.

Conclusion: This study confirms that situational simulation effectively improves pediatric clinical skills, especially in practical competence and patient communication. The findings support further integration of simulation-based teaching into pediatric training programs to enhance clinical readiness and confidence.

Keywords: medical competencies; medical training; mini-clinical assessment; pediatric clinical training; situational simulation teaching.

Figure 1

Experimental design and process chart.

Figure 2

Mini-CEX scale scores comparison among both groups. (A) Situational simulation teaching group; (B) Traditional teaching group.