A CRASH course in procedural skills improves medical students' self-assessment of proficiency, confidence, and anxiety

Background: Medical students enter the clinical education years with minimal exposure to procedural skills. This study aims to determine the effect of a pre-clinical skills, course on students' ratings of proficiency, confidence, and anxiety levels. Methods: An elective pre-clinical course in procedural skills was given to medical students prior to clinical rotations. Self-assessment of proficiency, confidence, and anxiety in performing these skills was made prior to and on completion of the course. Results: Course participants reported low proficiency and confidence, and high anxiety regarding performina procedural skills. Following the course, there was significant improvement in self-assessed proficiency, confidence, and anxiety. There were no gender differences in responses. Conclusions: Medical students entering clinical rotations have poor self-assessment of proficiency, low confidence, and high anxiety regarding procedural skills. A concentrated course in procedural skills significantly improved students' assessment of their proficiency, confidence, and anxiety levels. (C) 2007 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.