EFFECTIVENESS OF SIMULATION-BASED CLINICAL TRAINING IN DEVELOPING PRACTICAL UROLOGICAL SKILLS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

The development of practical clinical skills is a fundamental component of undergraduate medical education. In urology, students must master procedures such as urinary catheterization, assessment of acute urinary retention, interpretation of urinalysis, and management of common urological emergencies. Traditional bedside teaching alone may not provide sufficient opportunities for repeated and standardized practice.The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of simulation-based clinical training in improving practical urological skills, confidence, and clinical decision-making among medical students.A comparative pedagogical study was conducted among medical students enrolled in a urology course. The educational intervention included simulation-based procedural training, clinical case scenarios, structured debriefing, and OSCE-based assessment. Students’ theoretical knowledge, procedural accuracy, and self-reported confidence were evaluated before and after the training.Simulation-based training was associated with better procedural performance, improved confidence, and more accurate clinical decision-making. Students demonstrated stronger competence in urinary catheterization, recognition of urological emergencies, and interpretation of common diagnostic findings. Structured feedback and repeated practice were important factors contributing to improved learning outcomes.Simulation-based clinical training is an effective educational strategy for improving practical urological competencies among medical students. Its systematic integration into undergraduate curricula may enhance clinical preparedness and patient safety.