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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05275829

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

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

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

Educational Problems

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

American University of Beirut Medical Center

Beirut, 1104, Lebanon

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Tele simulation

Other

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

Primary outcomes

  1. Assessment of suturing skills in medical students via checklist

    Time frame: immediately after the intervention(suturing session)

    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

Secondary outcomes

  1. Assessment of suturing skills in medical students via OSATS

    Time frame: immediately after the intervention(suturing session)

    OSATS is a validated observational assessment tool also used in medical students. It comprises of seven performance domains whereby learners are scored on a 5-point Likert scale on proper tissue handling, efficiency and economy of movements, instrument handling, suture handling, flow of the procedure, knowledge of the steps of the procedure, overall appearance of the suture, in addition to an overall assessment of the performance; higher scores indicate better performance

Other outcomes

  1. Questionnaire that assesses confidence and satisfaction

    Time frame: immediately after the intervention( suturing session)

    The students were asked, on voluntary basis, to electronically fill a brief anonymous questionnaire after the completion of their respective sessions to evaluate their satisfaction (acceptability), confidence levels, and attitudes towards the instructional method they experienced (Figure 4). We followed the AMEE's guide No.87 (Artino et-al, 2014) recommendations for the survey items development, making sure to use clear self-explanatory language, avoid using negative-worded sentences, and include verbal labels for all the Likert-scale responses of the closed-ended items. We have also included three open-ended questions to gain a more detailed grasp of the students' perceptions of their learning experience.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

American University of Beirut Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Traditional Face-to-Face Versus Distance Learning of Basic Suturing Skills in Novice Learners

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Mar 11, 2022
Registry last updated
Mar 11, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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