New Paradigm in Training of Undergraduate Clinical Skills: the NEPTUNE-CS project at the Split University School of Medicine

摘要

Clinical skills’ training is arguably the weakest point inmedical schools’ curriculum. This study briefly describeshow we at the Split University School of Medicine copewith this problem. We consider that, over the last decades,a considerable advancement in teaching methodologies,tools, and assessment of students has been made. However,there are many unresolved issues, most notably: (i)the institutional value system, impeding the motivation ofthe teaching staff; (ii) lack of a strong mentoring system;(iii) organization, timing, and placement of training in thecurriculum; (iv) lack of publications pertinent to training;and (v) unwillingness of patients to participate in studenttraining. To improve the existing training models we suggestincreased institutional awareness of obstacles, as wellas willingness to develop mechanisms for increasing themotivation of faculty. It is necessary to introduce changesin the structure and timing of training and to complementit with a catalog, practicum, and portfolio of clinicalskills. At Split University School of Medicine, we developeda new paradigm aimed to improve the teaching of clinicalskills called “Neptune-CSS,” which stands for New Paradigmin Training of Undergraduate Clinical Skills in Split.