Confidence in Medical Procedures Among Hospital Practitioners
Author Information
Author(s): Rona M Connick, Peter Connick, Angelos E Klotsas, Petroula A Tsagkaraki, Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas
Primary Institution: Hinchingbrooke Hospital, University of Cambridge, Ipswich Hospital, Addenbrooke's Hospital
Hypothesis
What is the level of procedural confidence among hospital practitioners and what factors influence it?
Conclusion
Procedural confidence among hospital practitioners is influenced by gender and the number of procedures performed, with significant implications for medical training.
Supporting Evidence
- 27% of responders were 'not at all confident' in performing procedures.
- 41% of responders were female, showing no significant difference in confidence between genders.
- Specialist registrars had the highest cumulative confidence scores.
- Five key procedures were identified as essential for all doctors to perform competently.
- Confidence scores peaked in the SpR grade and declined in consultant practice.
Takeaway
Doctors need to feel confident to do medical procedures, and this study found that how many procedures they've done and whether they're male affects their confidence.
Methodology
A cross-sectional observational study measuring procedural confidence through questionnaires distributed to hospital practitioners.
Potential Biases
Potential for systematic bias due to self-selection in responses.
Limitations
Self-reported data may be subject to recall bias and self-selection bias.
Participant Demographics
41% female, with a mix of specialties including internal medicine, surgery, and others.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.026 for gender, <0.001 for procedures performed in past year
Confidence Interval
1.04 – 1.85 for gender, 1.21 – 1.37 for procedures performed in past year
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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