Implementing a Blood Pressure Measurement Curriculum for First-Year Medical Students

Margaret Fisher; Ariel Harris; Thomas Koonce; Gary Beck Dallaghan; Catherine L Coe

doi:10.1007/s40670-023-01825-9

Implementing a Blood Pressure Measurement Curriculum for First-Year Medical Students

Med Sci Educ. 2023 Jul 6;33(4):841-845. doi: 10.1007/s40670-023-01825-9. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Authors

Margaret Fisher¹, Ariel Harris¹, Thomas Koonce², Gary Beck Dallaghan³, Catherine L Coe²

Affiliations

¹ University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC USA.
² Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC USA.
³ University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, Tyler, TX USA.

Abstract

A core clinical skill medical students need to learn is obtaining an accurate blood pressure (BP) reading. We developed a standardized BP curriculum for first-year medical students. Medical students completed online modules and a hands-on skills session to learn BP skills. Pre- and post-surveys and an observed structured clinical encounter (OSCE) assessed student confidence and ability to accurately measure BP. Student confidence and mean OSCE scores (pre = 2.63, post = 6.51; p < 0.001) improved upon completion of the curriculum. The curriculum was feasible, well received, and improved student's skills for taking an accurate BP.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Curriculum; Hypertension; Medical education.