Virtual Surgical Training – first experiences of an online suture course

Abstract

Abstract Background: Due to the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic and associated contact restrictions, established lectures and seminars could not take place in presence as usual in 2020. In the first online-based summer semester 2020, the lack of practical content was noted by medical students of our institution. To provide basic practical surgical skills, a hybrid course was developped. A home-based suture kit was given to all medical students and a web-based live suturing skills course was performed. Methods: A total of 104 medical students participated in the online suturing skills course in 2 remote video sessions (Microsoft Teams®, Redmond, USA) of 90 minutes each. The students were taught theoretical and practical contents of surgical suturing skills and knotting techniques by a surgical resident in small groups of 12 participants. For this purpose, each student was previously given a personal basic surgical instruments training kit. Single stitches, mattress suture, intracutaneous suture and surgical hand knots were trained. In addition, an online questionnaire (Survey Monkey), which was processed before and after the course was performed. Furthermore, the evaluation of surgical skills, the course execution and the intended future medical discipline were investigated via the survey. Results and conclusion: All students rated increased skills of their suture and knot skills after the course. 80% of them had no experience with basic surgical skills prior to the course. Before the course, 33% of the participants wanted to become a surgeon compared to 41% after the course. The skills to perform single stitches and a surgical hand knot increased by 70% after the course. Also, theoretical knowledge increased after the course. Furthermore, the students were satisfied with the concept and the implementation of the course. In summary, by means of this online suturing skills course without any personal contact between instructor and student the competence of medical students in basic surgical skills could be improved and students were motivated to pursue a career in surgery. This hybrid format appears as a viable alternative, therefore it should be integrated into the curriculum in addition to courses in presence.