Implementing a Blood Pressure Measurement Curriculum for First-Year Medical Students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Skills Training
• Cardiovascular Assessment

Background:

• Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is a fundamental clinical skill for medical students.
• Deficiencies in BP measurement technique can lead to diagnostic and therapeutic errors.
• Standardized curricula are essential for effective clinical skills acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a standardized curriculum for teaching accurate blood pressure measurement to first-year medical students.
• To assess the impact of the curriculum on student confidence and proficiency in BP measurement.
• To determine the feasibility and reception of the new educational program.

Main Methods:

• A curriculum incorporating online modules and a hands-on skills session was implemented for first-year medical students.
• Student knowledge and confidence were assessed using pre- and post-surveys.
• Practical skills were evaluated through an observed structured clinical encounter (OSCE).

Main Results:

• Student confidence in measuring BP significantly increased after curriculum completion.
• Mean OSCE scores improved dramatically, from 2.63 pre-curriculum to 6.51 post-curriculum (p < 0.001).
• The curriculum was found to be feasible and well-received by students.

Conclusions:

• The developed standardized curriculum effectively improved medical students' ability to obtain accurate blood pressure readings.
• This educational intervention enhanced both student confidence and objective performance in a core clinical skill.
• The program's feasibility and positive reception suggest its value for medical training.