INTRODUCTION: The skills necessary to the education of medical students involve knowledge acquisition, the development of clínical abilities and the incorporation of attitudes. These skills should be acquired throughout the course and assessed by the teaching institution. The aim of the present study was to identify essential skills needed for physicians for the treatment of children and adolescents and to determine whether students at the end of the medical course are able to perform their activities with autonomy and security. METHOD: The answers of 64 Pediatrics professors, 30 physicians and 428 interns were compared by the student's t-test. The interns were evaluated using the Osce and their scores were compared to their answers on the questionnaire. Two other assessment tools were used (written test and direct observation), which were compared to the Osce results using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency. A significant difference was detected in the participants' responses only on execution of procedures (p-value = 0.003). The comparison of students' scores on the questionnaire and those demonstrated on the performance assessment by the Osce revealed significant differences in clínical abilities. The students received good evaluations on the written test and through direct observation during service activities. Both evaluations demonstrated a positive albeit weak correlation with the Osce, as determined by Pearson's correlation coefficient. CONCLUSIONS: Students, professors and physicians have similar expectations regarding the specific skills needed for pediatric practice. Divergent student evaluations' results, demonstrate the need for the joint use of tools for the certification of the performance of students.
Medical Education; Clínical Competence; Employee Performance Appraisal; Internship and Residency
