title: Effectiveness of direct observation and supervision at out-patient setting on improving clinical skills of medical students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Direct observation and supervision (DOS) is the teaching method where a mentor provides direct observation during patient encounter and provides feedback to the learner in real-time manner Previous studies showed that DOS improves patient care and trainees' clinical skill but is difficult to implement.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate students' performance and attitude after implementing DOS to the 5th year medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  DOS was introduced for the whole class of the 5th year medical students throughout the year at out-patient setting department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital in 2012. DOS sessions were provided during the first few patients 'encounters. Students 'performances at out-patients clinics were ratedfor other 8 subsequence sessions. The average score were compared to the 5th year medical students in 2011 (Conventional technique, CT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred andforty six students were supervised in DOS group. The mean score ofstudents who received DOS was significantly higher than CT group with the score of 8.2 compared to 7.9, respectively (p < 0.001). With respect to students'satisfaction, 75% of students rated DOS as a learning method with high to very high benefit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DOS method is feasible to implement and could improve student's performance with good satisfaction from medical students.
authors.forename: Chaiwat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Washirasaksiri
authors.forename: Praveena
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chiowchanwisawakit
authors.forename: Krittiya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Korphaisarn
authors.forename: Ranistha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ratanarat
authors.forename: Varalak
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Srinonprasert
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D005246:Feedback; D065386:Historically Controlled Study; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008611:Mentors; D019370:Observation; D013337:Students, Medical; D013785:Thailand