Optimizing Resource Utilization During Proficiency-based Training of Suturing Skills to Medical Students

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Education, Medical; Sutures
• Interventions: Other: Method of learning simple interrupted sutures with instrument tie

• Registration Number: NCT03650959
• Lead Sponsor: Queen's University

Brief Summary

Evidence favours teaching procedural skills to medical students using a proficiency-based rather than time-based approach. Basic suturing skills can be taught through faculty-led, peer tutor-led, and computer augmented approaches. One method has yet to be identified as superior in terms of educational outcomes, resource utilization, and participant perspectives.

Pre-clerkship medical students were randomized to: faculty, peer tutor, or computer augmented learning. Participants practiced suturing through their randomized method until they reached targeted proficiency defined using hand motion analysis (HMA). Proficiency was defined as a score of the average plus a standard deviation of five surgeons' HMA for two of three consecutive sutures using appropriate technique.

The primary outcome was the number of stitches placed to achieve proficiency. The secondary outcomes were the number of sutures used, time, and costs incurred. Learning curves were constructed. Participants' perceptions were assessed using a follow-up survey.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2018-06-04
• Primary Completion: 2018-06-08
• Study Completion: 2018-06-08
• Status Verified: 2018-08
• Study First Submitted: 2018-08-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-08-27
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-08-27
• Study First Posted: 2018-08-29
• Last Update Posted: 2018-08-29

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 44

Inclusion Criteria

• Second year, pre-clerkship medical students

Exclusion Criteria

• None

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Computer augmented self-directed learning	Method of learning simple interrupted sutures with instrument tie	-
Faculty-led	Method of learning simple interrupted sutures with instrument tie	-
Peer tutor-led	Method of learning simple interrupted sutures with instrument tie	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of stitched laid to reach proficiency	Five days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of sutures used to reach proficiency	Five days
Minutes to reach proficiency	Five days
Individual costs to reach proficiency	Five days

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Queen's Unviersity; 🇨🇦 Kingston, Ontario, Canada