Teaching-Learning Experience Regarding Skill in Using Inhalers: Medical Students Teaching Nursing Students

Area of Science:

• Interprofessional Health Education
• Clinical Skills Training
• Medical Pedagogy

Background:

• Interdisciplinary teaching in health sciences is gaining attention.
• Limited research exists on medical students teaching clinical skills to nursing students.
• This study addresses a gap in understanding peer-to-peer clinical instruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of fourth-year medical students teaching Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students the correct use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI).
• To assess the impact of brief, individualized teaching sessions on BSN students' MDI proficiency.
• To explore the potential of interprofessional education in clinical skill acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Fourth-year medical students provided one-on-one instruction on MDI use to BSN students.
• Educational sessions were approximately 10 minutes long and included discussion and demonstration.
• BSN students' MDI technique was assessed before and after the educational intervention.

Main Results:

• BSN students demonstrated significant improvement in overall MDI use post-instruction (p < .0001).
• Proficiency increased in six out of nine specific steps required for correct MDI administration.
• The intervention proved effective in enhancing a critical clinical skill.

Conclusions:

• Short, focused teaching sessions led by medical students are effective for improving nursing students' MDI technique.
• This interprofessional teaching model demonstrates success in clinical skills transfer.
• The findings support the integration of similar brief educational interventions in health science curricula.