In recent years, new Brazilian national curricular guidelines for undergraduate medical students have been adopted to improve students' training and assessment. In your opinion, is there anything still to be improved to achieve this goal?
The national curricular guidelines for courses in medicine in Brazil were published in 2014 and require updating. In September 2024, another edition of the Brazilian Congress of Medical Education will be held, with the theme “National Curricular Guidelines for medical training: 10 years of construction!” With the new technologies implemented in recent years, it is necessary to adapt the skills and abilities required for medical training.
There has been implementation of simulation laboratories, greater use of telehealth tools and medical equipment with advanced technology. New scientific evidence has emerged regarding teaching in the health area. At the same time, we need to restore communication skills and empathy.
What is your perception about the utility and the educational impact of Practicum Script as a programme to be implemented in the last 3 years of the medical degree?
The Practicum Script program helps students practice clinical reasoning. Its use in the last three years of the medical degree in a longitudinal manner is interesting and relevant, allowing content to be added gradually. Students really enjoy participating and report that the experience has been very beneficial.
What feedback are you receiving from medical students throughout the Practicum Script pilot? And what about professors?
Feedback has been very good from students, especially sixth-year students, who have requested that more clinical cases be made available. They consider the system to be easy to use with interesting feedback, allowing them to review mistakes and successes. Furthermore, they report that this will help with studying for medical residency exams. Teachers have highlighted the importance of participating in the project for students.
You have been coordinating the pilot experience with Practicum Script at UFMG, so from your insider's perspective: how do Practicum Script cases differ from cases used in other virtual platforms for formative purposes? In what sense?
As coordinator of the pilot project, I consider that there are several advantages. I must emphasise the fact that the Practicum Script platform is easy to access and use. It presents clinical cases with topics relevant to medical teaching and promotes effective and quick feedback. The format is very well structured. I have experience in distance learning and the platform showed me other possibilities. Another important issue is obtaining an international certificate.
How valuable can introducing the management of clinical uncertainty into the clinical cycle be, rather than believing that this competence is gained gradually and naturally over time, to reduce the risk of medical errors?
There are several ways to prevent medical errors, which include the use of clinical case simulation, development of skills and competencies crucial for care qualification. I coordinate the Simulation Laboratory at the UFMG Faculty of Medicine, and we have ways of training with mannequins and simulation equipment.
The Practicum Script platform, using response simulation in clinical cases, is a good tool and the feedback provided helps the student to reflect and better understand clinical decision-making. All of this adds knowledge and prepares the student more effectively to practice the medical profession
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