Immunization competence retention in medical students: a comparation between conventional lectures and lectures with simulations method
Background Immunization is recognized as one of the strategiesto reduce vaccine preventable diseases. Competency related toimmunization are consequently important for medical students andthe medical school needs to assure the competence acquisition.Objective To assess competence related to immunization andits retention following lectures with simulations compared tolectures only.Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted to the 5th yearstudents of University of Indonesia Medical School during the ChildAdolescent Health Module in 2012-2013. The intervention grouphad lectures with simulations and the control group had lecturesonly. Immunization knowledge was assessed with a 30 multiplechoice question (MCA) items performed before and after themodule. Competence retention was assessed by MCQ (knowledge)and OSCE (skills) 2-6 months afterwards.Results Sixty eight subjects for each group with similarcharacteristics were analyzed. There was significant differenceafter module MCQ score between two groups. Competenceretention in 2-6 months after module completion was betterin intervention group, both for the knowledge (median MCQscore of 70.00 (range 37-93) vs. mean score of 58.01 (SD 12.22),respectively; P<0.001) and skill (OSCE mean scores of 75.21 (SD10.74) vs. 62.62 (SD 11.89), respectively; P < 0.001). Proportionof subjects in the intervention group who passed both the MCQand OSCE were also significantly greater.Conclusion Lectures with simulations are proved to bemore effective in improving medical students’ immunizationcompetence as well as its retention compared to lectures onlyapproach.