Face-to-Face Versus Distance Learning of Basic Suturing Skills

NCT05275829 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SBS-2020-0378
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 118
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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

Conditions

Educational Problems

Keywords

Medical Education; Suturing Skills; Face-to-Face learning; Distance Learning; Pandemic

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Assessment of suturing skills in medical students via checklist

  The adopted ten-item checklist for assessing suturing skills in medical studentS differentiated between novice and expert performances and showed a narrow variation in the scores provided by three independent expert assessors. Overall performance scores were calculated based on the formula used by the same authors: "cutoff time (seconds) - completion time (seconds) - (10 x sum of errors)" with higher scores indicating better performance

  immediately after the intervention(suturing session)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Assessment of suturing skills in medical students via OSATS

  immediately after the intervention(suturing session)

Other Outcomes (1)

• Questionnaire that assesses confidence and satisfaction

  immediately after the intervention( suturing session)

Study Arms (2)

Control group: Face-to-Face learning of simple interrupted suturing

* The students watched a video demonstrating simple interrupted suturing, with the instructor commenting on the steps. * The students then watched the video again. * The instructor then demonstrated the procedure for the students. * The students then practiced suturing with immediate and specific feedback provided by the instructor until he and the students were satisfied with the performance.

Study group: Distance learning (tele simulation) of simple interrupted suturing

* The instructor ran the interactive tele simulation sessions utilising web-based video-conferencing technology (WebEx platform). The students used their personal smartphones or laptops with audio-video capabilities. The instructor ran the session through his smartphone. * The instructor shared a video demonstrating simple interrupted suturing while commenting on the steps (the same video used in the control group). * The instructor then ran the video again for the students. * The instructor then demonstrated the skill for the students by turning on his camera. * The students then practiced suturing, and periodically turned on their cameras to receive live and specific feedback from the instructor on their performance, until the instructor and the students were satisfied. * No face-to-face interactions between the students and the instructor.

Other: Tele simulation

Interventions

Tele simulation OTHER

Interactive tele simulation sessions utilising web-based video-conferencing technology (WebEx platform).

Study group: Distance learning (tele simulation) of simple interrupted suturing

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• 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.

You may qualify if:

• Pre-medical, first, and second-year medical students with no previous experience in suturing.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous experience in suturing.Refusal of enrolment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• American University of Beirut Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

American University of Beirut Medical Center

Beirut, 1104, Lebanon

Location

Study Officials

• Ahmad Zaghal, MD, MSc, FACS, FEBPS

  American University of Beirut Medical Center ; Department of Surgery

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Clinical Speciality

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2022
• First Posted: March 11, 2022
• Study Start: January 4, 2021
• Primary Completion: May 19, 2021
• Study Completion: May 19, 2021
• Last Updated: March 11, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

LE (1)