Self‑perceived knowledge and skills in mechanical ventilation among undergraduate medical interns: a cross‑sectional study

Abstract

Mechanical ventilation is an essential life‑support tool whose proper application requires theoretical knowledge and practical skills that should be developed during undergraduate medical training; however, education in this area remains limited in many academic settings. The aim of this study was to assess the self‑perceived level of knowledge, practical skills, prior experience, and satisfaction with mechanical ventilation training among undergraduate medical interns. A descriptive cross‑sectional study was conducted involving 114 medical interns from a medical school in Mexico, using a 34‑item questionnaire previously validated through the Delphi technique. The instrument evaluated four domains: theoretical knowledge, practical skills, prior clinical experience, and satisfaction with the training received. Results showed that only 39.38% of participants reported adequate theoretical knowledge, while 66.96% indicated insufficient practical skills to manage mechanical ventilators. Additionally, only 26.32% reported prior clinical experience with mechanical ventilation, and 86% expressed dissatisfaction with their current level of knowledge. These findings highlight the need to strengthen theoretical and practical mechanical ventilation training during undergraduate medical education.