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

NCT ID: NCT05275829

Last Updated: 2022-03-11

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 118 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2021-01-04
• Study Completion Date: 2021-05-19

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

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.

Conditions

Educational Problems

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: COHORT
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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.

No interventions assigned to this group

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.

Tele simulation

Intervention Type: OTHER

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

Interventions

Tele simulation

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

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

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

Exclusion Criteria

• Previous experience in suturing.Refusal of enrolment.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

American University of Beirut Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Dr. Ahmad Zaghal

Assistant Professor of Clinical Speciality

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Ahmad Zaghal, MD, MSc, FACS, FEBPS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

American University of Beirut Medical Center ; Department of Surgery

Locations

American University of Beirut Medical Center

Beirut, , Lebanon

Countries

Lebanon

Other Identifiers

SBS-2020-0378

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id