Feasibility and Acceptability of Direct Observation of Procedural Skills to Improve Procedural Skills

Procedural skill learning is usually unobserved during post graduate training. This study is an attempt to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of direct observation of procedural skills in a medical school in Northern India for postgraduates in Pediatrics. Eighty procedures performed by 15 trainees were observed by 9 faculty members. Seven of nine assessors considered direct observation to be feasible and non-intrusive in their routine clinical and teaching schedule while 5 out of 9 felt that it was time consuming. All fifteen trainees felt that direct observation enhanced their procedural skills and wished it to be extended to all procedures.