Kevin C McGann1, Rachel Melnyk2, Patrick Saba2, Julian Joseph2, Roan J Glocker3, Ahmed Ghazi4. 1. University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York. 2. Department of Urology, Simulation Innovation Lab, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. 3. Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. 4. Department of Urology, Simulation Innovation Lab, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. Electronic address: Ahmed_Ghazi@URMC.Rochester.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and utility of a completely online surgical skills elective for undergraduate medical students. DESIGN: The fully asynchronous, one-week, online learning elective addressed surgical instrument identification, knot tying, and suturing. Tools for knowledge acquisition and self-practice were outlined and individualized performance feedback on technical skills performance was incorporated from peers and experts through video conference. SETTING: University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 86 third- and fourth-year medical students enrolled and successfully completed the elective. RESULTS: At elective completion, nearly all students met their course objectives and significantly increased their confidence in surgical instrument identification, knot tying, and suturing. Objective measures of student knowledge and technical skills acquisition were overwhelmingly positive, and faculty and students were very satisfied with providing and receiving performance feedback. Students reported that expert feedback was more useful than peer feedback, and more students than faculty reported that the online modality was equivalent to an in-person session for performance review. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative online surgical skills elective improved undergraduate medical student confidence, knowledge, and skillset with surgical instrument identification, knot tying, and suturing while also facilitating effective expert feedback on individual performance.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and utility of a completely online surgical skills elective for undergraduate medical students. DESIGN: The fully asynchronous, one-week, online learning elective addressed surgical instrument identification, knot tying, and suturing. Tools for knowledge acquisition and self-practice were outlined and individualized performance feedback on technical skills performance was incorporated from peers and experts through video conference. SETTING: University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 86 third- and fourth-year medical students enrolled and successfully completed the elective. RESULTS: At elective completion, nearly all students met their course objectives and significantly increased their confidence in surgical instrument identification, knot tying, and suturing. Objective measures of student knowledge and technical skills acquisition were overwhelmingly positive, and faculty and students were very satisfied with providing and receiving performance feedback. Students reported that expert feedback was more useful than peer feedback, and more students than faculty reported that the online modality was equivalent to an in-person session for performance review. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative online surgical skills elective improved undergraduate medical student confidence, knowledge, and skillset with surgical instrument identification, knot tying, and suturing while also facilitating effective expert feedback on individual performance.
Authors: Ayukafangha Etando; Adefolarin A Amu; Mainul Haque; Natalie Schellack; Amanj Kurdi; Alian A Alrasheedy; Angela Timoney; Julius C Mwita; Godfrey Mutashambara Rwegerera; Okwen Patrick; Loveline Lum Niba; Baffour Boaten Boahen-Boaten; Felicity Besong Tabi; Olufunke Y Amu; Joseph Acolatse; Robert Incoom; Israel Abebrese Sefah; Anastasia Nkatha Guantai; Sylvia Opanga; Ibrahim Chikowe; Felix Khuluza; Dan Kibuule; Francis Kalemeera; Ester Hango; Jennie Lates; Joseph Fadare; Olayinka O Ogunleye; Zikria Saleem; Frasia Oosthuizen; Werner Cordier; Moliehi Matlala; Johanna C Meyer; Gustav Schellack; Amos Massele; Oliver Ombeva Malande; Aubrey Chichonyi Kalungia; James Sichone; Sekelani S Banda; Trust Zaranyika; Stephen Campbell; Brian Godman Journal: Healthcare (Basel) Date: 2021-12-13