NCT Number: NCT07663760
Modern medical education is based on competency-based learning and the use of formative assessment tools in real clinical settings, such as the Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX). However, the impact of a prior simulated mini-CEX experience on subsequent performance in real clinical settings remains insufficiently studied, particularly among medical students in anesthesiology-intensive care (DCEM3). This study aimed to assess the effect of a simulated mini-CEX on performance during a real mini-CEX in pre-anesthetic consultation.
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Get Notified18 year and older
All sexes
Interventional
Not applicable
We conducted a prospective, multicenter interventional study over 4 weeks in three anesthesiology-intensive care departments in Tunis. Volunteer DCEM3 students were assessed by trained anesthesiology faculty using the mini-CEX tool. The intervention consisted of a structured two-step assessment of pre-anesthetic consultation: a standardized simulation followed by a real clinical encounter. Performance was evaluated using a 7-domain mini-CEX checklist, including direct observation, scoring, and immediate formative feedback. The primary outcome was the overall mini-CEX score. Secondary outcomes included domain-specific scores, inter-rater reliability, individual progression, and participant satisfaction.
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Mini-CEX educational assessment during pre-anesthetic consultation: Volunteer fifth-year medical students were assessed by trained anesthesiology faculty using the mini-CEX tool. The intervention consisted of a structured two-step assessment of pre-anesthetic consultation: a standardized simulation followed by a real clinical encounter.
Other names: Simulated Mini-CEX, Mini-CEX-based educational intervention
Time frame: Through study completion, up to 4 weeks
measured by the mean score on the Mini-CEX checklist, compared between simulated consultation and real consultation.
The overall performance is assessed using the unabbreviated Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) checklist. The global score is measured on a 9-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (insufficient/unsatisfactory performance) to 9 (exceptional/exemplary performance). Higher scores indicate a better clinical performance and greater student autonomy.
Time frame: at the and of each Mini-CEX , Through study completion, up to 4 weeks
Scores for each domain (history taking, physical examination, clinical judgment, communication skills, professionalism, organization and efficiency, and overall clinical performance). Measured by the Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) checklist, compared between the simulated consultation (baseline) and the real clinical consultation. The checklist uses a 9-point Likert scale where 1 represents the lowest performance (insufficient) and 9 represents the highest performance (exceptional). Higher scores indicate a better clinical outcome.
Time frame: at the end of the simulated Mini-CEx, Through study completion, up to 4 weeks
Inter-rater reproducibility was evaluated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC
Time frame: at the end of the internship, Through study completion, up to 4 weeks
Individual performance gain (delta between simulated and real Mini-CEX scores) Calculated as the change score between the real clinical consultation and the simulated consultation (Real score minus Simulated score) using the unabbreviated Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX). The original Mini-CEX scale ranges from a minimum value of 1 (insufficient performance) to a maximum value of 9 (exceptional performance). The resulting performance gain score ranges from -8 to +8. A higher or positive score indicates a better outcome (improvement/performance gain), a score of 0 indicates no change, and a negative score indicates a decrease in performance.
Time frame: at the end of internship, Through study completion, up to 4 weeks
Learner and faculty satisfaction, as well as their recommendation for the use of the Mini-CEX throughout the curriculum, assessed using a Likert scale. Assessed via a post-internship questionnaire completed by both students (learners) and professors (faculty) regarding their satisfaction with the Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) and their recommendation for its integration throughout the curriculum. Responses are evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from a minimum score of 1 (Strongly disagree / Very dissatisfied) to a maximum score of 5 (Strongly agree / Very satisfied). Higher scores indicate a better outcome, representing higher levels of satisfaction and a stronger recommendation for curriculum implementation.
Time frame: at the end of each Mini-Cex, Through study completion, up to 4 weeks
The time required to complete the consultation (measured in minutes)
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Mongi Slim Hospital
Other
Impact of a Simulated Mini-CEX on Clinical Performance During a Real-World Mini-CEX: A Multicenter Study in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine
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