Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices (KAP) about Auscultation and Usability of an Electronic Stethoscope in 5th Year Medical Students at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMSB) of Yaoundé (Cameroon)

Objective : To evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of 5th year medical students regarding the clinical auscultation and the usability of an electronic stethoscope for its use in Cameroon. Methods : A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 5th year medical students. It was conducted in two parts: (i) the evaluation of KAP of 5th year medical students in terms of auscultation and (ii) a study of the usability of an electronic stethoscope. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Results : 80 students completed the questionnaire on CAP for auscultation. The structure of the traditional stethoscope in general was known by only 42.5% of participants. 66.8% of participants were aware of the function of the bell and only 13.8% were aware of the usefulness of cardiac auscultation in Erb's focus. 96.3% of students felt that additional training in auscultation would be beneficial. The inability to filter and record sounds perceived with a traditional stethoscope was considered a limiting factor for the majority of them. In addition, 57.5% of participants had never heard about the electronic stethoscope. With respect to the usability of the electronic stethoscope, the majority of participants felt that it was easy to use and would make the practice of auscultation more relevant. Conclusion : This study highlights the need to strengthen and to modernize the training of Cameroonian health professionals in clinical auscultation by implementing new pedagogical approaches that can be based on digital technology.