María C. Cortés-Benavides, Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Infantil de México Dr. Federico Gómez, Ciudad de México, México
Carmen Zavala-García, Dirección Académica, Médica Sur, Ciudad de México, México
Carlos A. Rivero-López, Coordinación de Evaluación, Subdivisión de Medicina Familiar, División de Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, México
Juan A. Trejo-Mejía, Coordinación de Fase Práctica, Departamento de Evaluación Educativa, Secretaría de Educación Médica, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Ciudad de México, México
Amílcar Alpuche-Hernández, Jefatura de Proyecto, Departamento de Evaluación Educativa, Secretaría de Educación Médica, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Ciudad de México, México
Carlos de la Torre-González, Servicio de Otorrinolaringología Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil de México Dr. Federico Gómez, Ciudad de México, México
Adrián Martínez-González, Dirección de Evaluación Educativa, Salud Pública y Medicina Preventiva, Departamento de Salud Pública e Informática Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM. Ciudad de México, México
Background: During professional training, the acquisition of otoscopic skills necessary for accurate diagnosis of ear pathology is often assumed. Studies have reported challenges residents face in mastering this skill. Objective: To assess and compare the level of clinical competence between first-year and third-year pediatric residents in otoscopic skills, and their performance in the diagnosis and management of otitis media, through using an objective structured clinical examination. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Pediatric residents at the Dr. Federico Gómez Children’s Hospital of Mexico were recruited. A 7-station objective structured clinical examination was designed, allotting 10 minutes for each station and 5 minutes for feedback. Independent sample Student’s t-test and ANOVA were performed to analyze changes in clinical competence and its attributes. Results: A total of 56 pediatric residents participated, including 27 first-year residents (48.2%) and 29 third-year residents (51.7%). Third-year residents demonstrated higher skills in attributes such as follow-up planning, diagnostic reasoning, patient history-taking, and overall otorhinolaryngology clinical competence. Conclusions: Third-year pediatric residents exhibit a higher level of clinical competence compared to first-year residents.
Keywords: Otoscopy. Otitis media. Objective structured clinical examination. Clinical competence.