Enhancing Pediatric Interns' Clinical Skills Through Simulation-Based Training

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.