Respective value of the traditional clinical rotation and high fidelity simulation on the acquisition of clinical reasoning skills in medical students – A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE To assess the respective value of Traditional clinical rotation and High Fidelity Simulation (HFS) on the acquisition of clinical reasoning (CR) skills in Medical Students. METHODS A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Forty medical students were exposed to a full day of HFS, either during their Paediatric Term (PT) (Experimental group = PT+, HFS+) or, after completion of their PT (Control group = PT+, HFS-). CR skills were assessed by a Script Concordance Test (SCT) prior to group allocation and at the completion of PT. RESULTS 39 out of 40 students completed both SCT. Scores before (mean/SD 57.4/6.7) and after (mean/SD 61.1/7.0) the PT were significantly improved (mean increase [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 3.6 [2.0-5.2]; p