Abstract: Objective To explore the feasibility of applying real patients in the clinical skills assessment of standardized training for dermatological residents, so as to inform the formulation of examination plans in the future. Methods In May 2023, 30 examinees who took part in the examination of dermatology graduation clinical skills in the examination center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University were enrolled in the study. A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate the examinees' satisfaction with the establishment of the examination station and the feelings of receiving real patients, and the assessment results were recorded. Results The median scores of all aspects in the satisfaction questionnaire for residents' examinations were all above 80% of the total score, with the lowest score given to the item ″reasonable duration of examination stations″ [3.0(2.0)]. The score for residents' assessment of the cooperation level of real patients was 10.0(1.5). The assessment results for treating patients at the examination stations were excellent, with the score of (85.75±3.80) for the 30 residents. Conclusions Examinees are highly satisfied with the national residency training program and graduation skills assessment in dermatology, but the time setting of receiving patients can be further optimized. It is feasible to use real patients in dermatology end-of-training skills assessment, and examinees have high recognition for real patients to participate in the assessment.

Key words: Dermatology, Standardized residency training, Completion assessment, Real patient