Advancing Medical Assessment Skills in Dental Education: Technology-Enhanced Active Learning With Peer Role-Play Versus Real Patient Practice

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess the improving effect of technology-assisted peer role-play on dental students' theoretical knowledge and practical skills in medical history taking, vital sign monitoring, and patient-specific local anesthetic (LA) dose calculation within the scope of medical assessment.

Methods

The study involved 93 fourth-year dental students who received 22 h of theoretical and practical training on medical assessment. During training, digital monitoring simulations were conducted using ResusMonitor. In the peer role-play group (Group RP, n = 46) students alternated the roles of patient and dentist and in the real patient practice group (Group PP, n = 47) students practiced on real patients. Students' theoretical knowledge and practical skills were evaluated before and after the training using questionnaires and simulated patient assessments.

Results

Prior to training, groups had similar knowledge and skills. After training, both groups showed significant improvement (p < 0.001). Peer role-playing notably enhanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in medical history taking and monitoring (p < 0.05). After the study, the theoretical knowledge quality of the students about basic and detailed medical history taking improved. Monitoring competence rose from below 30% to 93.5% in Group RP and 89.4% in Group PP post-training. All students became competent in calculating patient-specific LA dose after training, whereas they were previously inadequate.

Conclusion

Peer role-play with ResusMonitor was more effective than real patient practice for improving theoretical knowledge and practical skills in medical assessment. Technology-enhanced peer role-play was recommended as an economical and accessible method for improving medical assessment training in dental education.