Utility of Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise in the Assessment of Medical Interns in Simulation based Medical Education: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Medical graduates skill assessment in simulation is underdeveloped and needs due attention in making them proficient. The mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX) could be an important tool in assessing and making them perfect through Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME). Aim: To determine utility of mini-CEX as a definitive and reliable assessment tool in high fidelity medical simulation. Materials and Methods: This pilot study was conducted at School of Virtual Learning (SVL) affiliated with JNMC, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University) Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India between 1st November 2021- 31st December 2021, on 50 medical interns. The learners were taught of basic clinical examination on SimMan simulator along with training in MiniCEX exercise. The case scenarios on Hypertensive, Valvular, Acute Coronary artery disorders and dysrhythmias cardiac medical emergencies were allotted and the performance of administrators and learners were assessed by mini-CEX. The mini-CEX rating form was used to evaluate the competence and student satisfaction score form was sent to learners for their feedback. The data was collected on online Google form and was tabulated and analysed, descriptive statistics, mean with standard deviation was calculated. Results: The mean age of participants was 22.5±0.53 years. There were 15 males (30%) and 35 females (70%). Average satisfaction score for the assessors was 7.4±1.2 and for the interns was 8.2±0.2. Conclusion: Excellent level of satisfaction was observed in the learners as well as the administrators by use of Mini-CEX format. Hence this exercise can be applied in accessing high fidelity simulation.