Face-to-Face Versus Distance Learning of Basic Suturing Skills
Condition: Educational Problems
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The main objective of this study is to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of
      Distance Learning (DL) of basic suturing skills in novice learners.

      A prospective randomized controlled trial involving 118 pre-medical and medical students with
      no previous experience in suturing was conducted. Participants were randomized into two
      groups for learning simple interrupted suturing: F-F and DL groups (59 students in each
      group) . Evaluation was conducted by two independent assessors. Agreement between the
      assessors was calculated, and performance scores of the participants were compared between
      the two groups.

      All the participants demonstrated their ability to place three interrupted sutures, with no
      significant difference in the performance between the two groups. All the respondents
      positively rated the teaching sessions, found them useful and enjoyable.

      Distance learning of basic suturing is as effective as the face-to-face approach in novice
      learners
    

Detailed description: 
      At our hospital, during the initial lock-down period in March and April 2020, all medical
      students' clinical clerkships were temporarily cancelled, and their educational activities
      switched to web-based remote learning, utilizing teleconferencing and commercially available
      web-based interactive clinical modules. Teaching surgical technical skills, such as basic
      suturing, presented itself as a more challenging component of the clinical education under
      these unusual circumstances as compared to teaching cognitive skills and knowledge, which
      raised questions and concerns around the effectiveness and acceptability of distance learning
      of basic surgical skills.

      In this study, the investigators aimed to compare the effectiveness and retention of distance
      learning to the traditional face-to-face learning of basic (simple interrupted) suturing in
      novice learners. This study entails a prospective randomized trial involving two arms
      (traditional face-to-face versus distance learning of basic simple interrupted suturing) in
      pre-medical students as well as first and second year medical students at the American
      University of Beirut (AUB). Immediately after the teaching session as part of research, two
      independent surgeons assessed the students' simple interrupted suturing performance using a
      validated checklist and OSATS global rating.

      The difference in performance was used to determine the effectiveness of distance learning of
      basic suturing as compared to the traditional instructional method. In addition, the students
      in both groups were asked to complete a questionnaire (immediately after the teaching
      session) to investigate their satisfaction and confidence.
    

Intervention name(s): Tele simulation
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Interactive tele simulation sessions utilising web-based video-conferencing technology (WebEx platform).
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Pre-medical, first, and second-year medical students from a four-year Doctor of Medicine
        graduate-entry programme. Premedical students include senior biology, medical laboratory,
        and nutrition students. All participants had no previous experience with suturing. Basic
        suturing is one of the educational activities of the third-year medical students, before
        which students are not normally exposed to basic suturing skills teaching sessions. The
        participants were recruited via an email sent to all the potential candidates for
        participation in this study.
      
Keywords: Medical Education; Suturing Skills; Face-to-Face learning; Distance Learning; Pandemic