Basic Clinical Skills
The competent graduate elicits and records a complete and accurate history and
performs a skillful examination appropriate to a variety of patient encounters.
The graduate correctly determines whether to perform a comprehensive or
suitably focused history and physical examination. The graduate also correctly
selects, proficiently performs, and accurately interprets selected clinical
procedures and laboratory tests.
Aloysius (Butch) Humbert, M.D.
Competency Director, Basic Clinical Skills
View Video Clip
Scott Engum, M.D.
Former Competency Director, Basic Clinical Skills
Sample Learning Experiences:
Basic Clinical Skills—Clinical Procedures Tracking
During the third year curriculum, Basic Clinical Skills (BCS) Level 2 competency
is fulfilled by logging clinical encounters. Students use PDAs to log observed
or performed skills in Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Medicine, Psychiatry,
Neurology, Anesthesia, Ob/Gyn and Surgery rotations. Specific forms are
designed for each third year required clerkship. Students download the forms to
their PDAs prior to beginning the clerkship. Each skill must have the following
information recorded: procedure name, clerkship rotation, location, level of
student responsibility (observed, participated or performed), feedback given
and mentor signature. A mentor may be a resident, nurse, healthcare extender or
a physician.
A minimum number of required encounters are specified for
each clinical procedure. Some procedure encounters can occur on mannequin
devices. There are:
| Arterial puncture/catheter placement |
2 |
performed |
| Bag mask ventilation |
1 |
performed |
| Blood glucose monitoring |
2 |
observed |
| Breast exam |
1 |
performed |
| Cast/splint placement |
1 |
performed |
| Central vein catheter insertion |
1 |
observed |
| Chest tube placement/thoracentesis |
1 |
observed |
| Cryosurgical removal of skin lesion |
1 |
observed |
| EGD/colonoscopy |
1 |
observed |
| Endotracheal tube placement |
1 |
performed |
| Foley catheter insertion |
3 |
performed |
| Incision and drainage |
1 |
observed |
| Inguinal exam |
1 |
performed |
| Injection (subc, intrav, intram) |
2 |
performed |
| Lesion biopsy |
1 |
observed |
| Lumbar puncture |
1 |
observed |
| Nasogastric tube insertion |
2 |
performed |
| Obtain a pap smear |
5 |
performed |
| Obtain/perform a wet mount |
3 |
performed |
| Pelvic exam |
7 |
performed |
| Peripheral venous catheter insertion |
2 |
performed |
| Physical exam (faculty observed) |
1 |
performed |
| Focused history (faculty observed) |
1 |
performed |
| Rectal exam |
4 |
performed |
| Suture of wound |
7 |
performed |
| Throat swab |
1 |
performed |
| Total parenteral nutrition management |
2 |
performed |
| Vaginal delivery |
3 |
participated or performed |
| Venipuncture |
2 |
performed |
| Ventilator management |
2 |
observed |
IUSM Clinical Skills Education Center—A
facility for the teaching and assessment of clinical skills, including communication.
Staff are available for help with designing or conducting a variety of types of
formative and evaluation experiences.
The Objective Structural Clinical Exams are part of the competency-enhanced curriculum
formally implemented in the 1999-2000 academic year. OSCE puts students in an interview
situation with actors who are trained to present specific health problems and to
give the students feedback and evaluation. The OSCE is structured to teach and assess
students’ abilities to interact with patients while applying medical knowledge
and performing clinical skills. The IU School of Medicine believes practice in applying
the human elements of medicine is as critical to our graduates as learning to diagnose
and treat diseases and other health conditions. Learn more with this
quick tour of an OSCE day.
Bibliography
For more details on this competency,
please click here.