Evaluating the effect of the practical approach to Care Kit on teaching medical students primary care : quasi-experimental study
Date
2017-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS publishing
Abstract
Background: South Africa is committed to health reforms that strengthen primary health care.
Preparing future doctors to work in primary care teams with other professionals is a priority,
and medical schools have shifted towards community-based and decentralised training of
medical students.
Aim: To evaluate the effect on student performance of the Practical Approach to Care Kit
(PACK) (an integrated decision-making tool for adult primary care) during the final phase of
medical student training at Stellenbosch University.
Setting: Clinical rotations in family medicine at clinics in the Western Cape.
Methods: Mixed methods involving a quasi-experimental study and focus group interviews.
Student examination performance was compared between groups with and without exposure
to the PACK during their clinical training. Student groups exposed to PACK were interviewed
at the end of their rotations.
Results: Student performance in examinations was significantly better in those exposed to the
PACK. Students varied from using the PACK overtly or covertly during the consultation to
checking up on decisions made after the consultation. Some felt that the PACK was more
suitable for nurses or more junior students. Although tutors openly endorsed PACK, very few
modelled the use of PACK in their clinical practice.
Conclusion: The use of PACK in the final phase of undergraduate medical education improved
their performance in primary care. Students might be more accepting and find the tool more
useful in the earlier clinical rotations. Supervisors should be trained further in how to
incorporate the use of the PACK in their practice and educational conversations.
Description
CITATION: Mash, R., Pather, M., Rhode, H & Fairall, L. 2017. Evaluating the effect of the Practical Approach to Care Kit on teaching medical students primary care: Quasi-experimental study. African Journal of Primary Health care & Family Medicine, 9(1):a1602. doi:10.4102/phcfm.v9i1.1602.
The original publication is available at https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm
The original publication is available at https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm
Keywords
Health care reform -- South Africa, Primary health care -- South Africa, Medical students -- South Africa, Public health -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa, Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK), Medical protocols -- South Africa
Citation
Mash, R., Pather, M., Rhode, H & Fairall, L. 2017. Evaluating the effect of the Practical Approach to Care Kit on teaching medical students primary care: Quasi-experimental study. African Journal of Primary Health care & Family Medicine, 9(1):a1602. doi:10.4102/phcfm.v9i1.1602.