Using a reflective framework to assess skills - taking a manual BP

Area of Science:

• Clinical Skills
• Medical Education
• Cardiovascular Assessment

Background:

• Manual blood pressure (BP) measurement using a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer is a fundamental clinical skill.
• The increasing prevalence of automated BP monitors has reduced opportunities for manual BP assessment practice.
• Maintaining proficiency in manual BP measurement is crucial for accurate patient evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the challenges and strategies for acquiring competence in manual blood pressure measurement.
• To discuss the application of a reflective framework in learning this psychomotor skill.
• To identify and describe a beneficial learning style for manual BP assessment.

Main Methods:

• A reflective framework was employed to guide the learning process.
• The authors documented their experiences and reflections on learning manual BP measurement.
• A specific learning style identified as effective was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Competence in manual BP measurement is increasingly difficult to attain due to reduced practice.
• A reflective approach facilitated the authors' learning and skill development.
• A distinct learning style was identified as particularly helpful for mastering the technique.

Conclusions:

• There is a need to address the declining manual BP measurement skills in healthcare professionals.
• Reflective practice is a valuable tool for skill acquisition in medical education.
• Further investigation into effective learning styles for clinical skills is warranted.