Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
M.Sc. of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2
Ph.D. of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3
Ph.D. Student of Medical Education, Medical Education Development Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
4
B.Sc. of Midwifery, School of Health Workers of Imam Reza (AS), Mashhad, Iran.
5
M.Sc. of Community Health Nursing, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.
6
Ph.D. Student of Reproductive Health, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
7
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ovulation Dysfunction Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Clinical education is a dynamic process that provides condition to combine theoretical knowledge with real practical environment for practitioners. This study was done to determine the practice times that are necessary for health worker trainees to achieve enough competency to perform family planning skills, based on flattening the learning curve.
Methods: This time-series study was conducted on 54 junior students of paramedical school of Mashhad, Nishabur and Torbatjam, Iran in 2012. Participants were selected with census method. Data tools were a research-made questionnaire included demographic information of health worker and family planning check list for assessing their clinical skills. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16), Kruskal- Wallis and Pearson correlation. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: According to learning curve of family planning clinical skills, practicing 21-30 times is enough (75%) for health workers to achieve adequate competency. During 15 weeks of clinical education, the level of competency did not change significantly.
Conclusion: The maximum appropriate practice times of family planning clinical skills in junior paramedics are 30 times. By using learning curve can achieve to ideal competency level and enough retention of skills as well.
Keywords
)