A CRASH course in procedural skills improves medical students' self-assessment of proficiency, confidence, and anxiety.

Background: Medical students enter the clinical education years with minimal exposure to procedural skills. This study aims to determine the effect of a pre-clinical skills course on students' ratings of proficiency, confidence, and anxiety levels.

Methods: An elective pre-clinical course in procedural skills was given to medical students prior to clinical rotations. Self-assessment of proficiency, confidence, and anxiety in performing these skills was made prior to and on completion of the course.

Results: Course participants reported low proficiency and confidence, and high anxiety regarding performing procedural skills. Following the course, there was significant improvement in self-assessed proficiency, confidence, and anxiety. There were no gender differences in responses.

Conclusions: Medical students entering clinical rotations have poor self-assessment of proficiency, low confidence, and high anxiety regarding procedural skills. A concentrated course in procedural skills significantly improved students' assessment of their proficiency, confidence, and anxiety levels.