Table 2 Comparisons of student’s scores of preparedness for clinical practice before and after SAP (N = 50)

Take and record a patient's medical history, including family and social history?

3.96 (.565)

4

4.27* (.439)

4

Elicit patients' questions, their understanding of their condition and treatment options, and their views, concerns, values and preferences?

3.88 (.712)

4

4.18* (.572)

4

Perform a full physical examination?

3.92 (.659)

4

4.23* (.602)

4

Perform a mental-state examination?

3.02 (.788)

3

3.20 (1.130)

4

Make an initial assessment of a patient's problems and formulate a differential diagnosis?

3.58 (.724)

4

3.98* (.503)

4

Formulate a plan for investigation and interpret the results?

3.54 (.781)

4

4.00* (.475)

4

Formulate a plan for treatment, management and discharge?

3.06 (.733)

3

3.61* (.615)

4

Make clinical judgements and decisions, based on the available evidence, in conjunction with colleagues?

3.22 (.783)

3

3.82* (.513)

4

Contribute to the care of patients and their families at the end of life?

2.84 (.903)

3

3.24* (.786)

3

Communicate effectively with colleagues from a variety of professions?

3.38 (.690)

3

3.80* (.577)

4

Communicate clearly, sensitively, and effectively with patients, relatives or other carers?

3.40 (.775)

3

3.94* (.640)

4

Communicate appropriately in difficult circumstances (e.g. with difficult or violent patients, when breaking bad news, or with vulnerable patients?

3.00 (.722)

3

3.46* (.821)

3

Assess and recognise the severity of a clinical presentation and a need for immediate emergency care?

3.58 (.778)

4

3.93* (.688)

4

Diagnose and manage acute medical emergencies?

3.52 (.831)

4

3.63 (.774)

4

Provide cardio-pulmonary resuscitation or direct other team members to carry out resuscitation?

3.68 (.787)

4

3.62 (.980)

4

Plan appropriate drug therapy for common indications, including pain and distress?

3.10 (.756)

3

3.72* (.549)

4

Provide a safe and legal prescription?

2.86 (.694)

3

3.61* (.564)

4

Calculate appropriate drug doses?

2.96 (.872)

3

3.51* (.720)

3^a

Detect and report adverse drug reactions?

3.34 (.682)

3

3.45 (.627)

3

Keep accurate, legible and complete clinical records?

3.38 (.719)

3

4.05* (.600)

4

Carry out baseline observations: measuring body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, transcutaneous oxygen monitoring (saturation monitoring)?

4.32 (.647)

4

4.48 (.612)

5

Carry out practical procedures: venepuncture, taking blood cultures, measuring blood glucose?

4.12 (.739)

4

4.27 (.655)

4

Establish peripheral intravenous access (cannulation)?

3.96 (.721)

4

4.02 (.740)

4

Perform and interpret a 12-lead electrocardiograph?

4.18 (.623)

4

4.08 (.687)

4

Carry out basic respiratory function tests?

3.16 (1.028)

3

3.18 (1.054)

3

Carry out practical procedures: urine multi dipstick test, taking nose, throat and skin swabs, pregnancy test?

3.60 (.693)

4

3.66 (.788)

3

Administer oxygen?

4.14 (.749)

4

4.17 (.605)

4

Prescribe dose and route of insulin, including use of sliding scales?

3.60 (.849)

4

3.83 (.648)

4

Administer subcutaneous and intramuscular injections?

3.92 (.797)

4

4.01 (.805)

4

Carry out practical procedures: urinary catheterisation, skin suturing?

3.90 (.782)

4

4.09 (.692)

4

Wound care and basic wound dressing?

3.60 (.775)

4

3.76 (.769)

4

Infection control (e.g. hand washing, use of personal protective equipment, safe disposal of waste and sharps)?

4.32 (.734)

5

4.39 (.642)

5

Prescribe fluids for intravenous infusion and set up infusion device?

3.38 (.719)

3

3.66* (.705)

4

Prescribe, set up and monitor a blood transfusion?

2.38 (.978)

2

3.08* (.721)

3

Hand over care of a patient?

2.96 (.721)

3

3.72* (.548)

4

Know when to seek help from a senior colleague?

3.92 (.689)

4

4.07 (.541)

4

Learn and work effectively within a multi-professional team?

3.44 (.753)

3^a

4.09* (.513)

4