Effects of mini-clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX) on training the community outpatient medical interviewing ability among general medicine resident physicians

Background: To evaluate the effects of mini-clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX) on the training of community outpatient medical interviewing ability among general medicine resident physicians. Methods: : Eighty general medicine resident physicians rotating at the Changqing Garden Community Health Service Center in Wuhan Fourth Hospital were recruited as study participants. The participants were randomized into an experimental group and a control group, with 40 participants per group. Both groups received the same 20 training sessions. However, the experimental group received Mini-CEX evaluation and feedback regarding their community outpatient medical interviewing ability after 10 training sessions. After 20 training sessions, community outpatient medical interviewing ability was evaluated in both groups. Results: : The outpatient medical interviewing ability score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Stratified analysis based on cohort was performed, and the scores of the year 1 and year 3 cohorts in the experimental group were higher than in the control group (P<0.05). A questionnaire survey was carried out on all participants, and 87.5% were supportive of addition of Mini-CEX in the course. Conclusions: : Mini-CEX evaluation in standardized residents training can improve their medical interviewing ability. Residents were receptive of this teaching model.