Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trial
Abstract Background and aim Traditionally, practical skills are taught on face-to-face (F-F) basis. COVID-19 pandemic brought distance learning (DL) to the spotlight because of the social distancing mandates. We sought to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of DL of basic suturing in novic...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03353-3 |
| _version_ | 1818060593554259968 |
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| author | Ahmad Zaghal Charles Marley Salim Rahhal Joelle Hassanieh Rami Saadeh Arwa El-Rifai Taha Qaraqe Martine ElBejjani Rola Jaafar Jamal J. Hoballah |
| author_facet | Ahmad Zaghal Charles Marley Salim Rahhal Joelle Hassanieh Rami Saadeh Arwa El-Rifai Taha Qaraqe Martine ElBejjani Rola Jaafar Jamal J. Hoballah |
| author_sort | Ahmad Zaghal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background and aim Traditionally, practical skills are taught on face-to-face (F-F) basis. COVID-19 pandemic brought distance learning (DL) to the spotlight because of the social distancing mandates. We sought to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of DL of basic suturing in novice learners. Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial involving 118 students was conducted. Participants were randomized into two groups for learning simple interrupted suturing: F-F and DL-groups. Evaluation was conducted by two assessors using a performance checklist and a global rating tool. Agreement between the assessors was calculated, and performance scores of the participants were compared. Participants’ satisfaction was assessed via a questionnaire. Results Fifty-nine students were randomized to the F-F group and 59 to the DL-group. Satisfactory agreement between the assessors was demonstrated. All participants were successful in placing three interrupted sutures, with no significant difference in the performance between the groups. 25(44.6%) of the respondents in the DL-group provided negative comments related to the difficulties of remotely learning visuospatial concepts, 16(28.5%) preferred the F-F approach. Conclusion DL of basic suturing is as effective as the F-F approach in novice learners. It is acceptable by the students despite the challenges related to the remote learning of practical skills. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T13:34:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-89b9120c4dc346a49c3026561f33f456 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T13:34:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-89b9120c4dc346a49c3026561f33f4562022-12-22T01:46:51ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202022-04-0122111810.1186/s12909-022-03353-3Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trialAhmad Zaghal0Charles Marley1Salim Rahhal2Joelle Hassanieh3Rami Saadeh4Arwa El-Rifai5Taha Qaraqe6Martine ElBejjani7Rola Jaafar8Jamal J. Hoballah9Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterDepartment of Clinical Psychology, University of EdinburghDepartment of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterClinical Research Unit and Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical CenterAbstract Background and aim Traditionally, practical skills are taught on face-to-face (F-F) basis. COVID-19 pandemic brought distance learning (DL) to the spotlight because of the social distancing mandates. We sought to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of DL of basic suturing in novice learners. Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial involving 118 students was conducted. Participants were randomized into two groups for learning simple interrupted suturing: F-F and DL-groups. Evaluation was conducted by two assessors using a performance checklist and a global rating tool. Agreement between the assessors was calculated, and performance scores of the participants were compared. Participants’ satisfaction was assessed via a questionnaire. Results Fifty-nine students were randomized to the F-F group and 59 to the DL-group. Satisfactory agreement between the assessors was demonstrated. All participants were successful in placing three interrupted sutures, with no significant difference in the performance between the groups. 25(44.6%) of the respondents in the DL-group provided negative comments related to the difficulties of remotely learning visuospatial concepts, 16(28.5%) preferred the F-F approach. Conclusion DL of basic suturing is as effective as the F-F approach in novice learners. It is acceptable by the students despite the challenges related to the remote learning of practical skills.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03353-3Distance learningFace-to-face learningMedical educationSuturing skillsPandemic |
| spellingShingle | Ahmad Zaghal Charles Marley Salim Rahhal Joelle Hassanieh Rami Saadeh Arwa El-Rifai Taha Qaraqe Martine ElBejjani Rola Jaafar Jamal J. Hoballah Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trial BMC Medical Education Distance learning Face-to-face learning Medical education Suturing skills Pandemic |
| title | Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trial |
| title_full | Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trial |
| title_fullStr | Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trial |
| title_short | Face-to-face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners: a quantitative prospective randomized trial |
| title_sort | face to face versus distance learning of basic suturing skills in novice learners a quantitative prospective randomized trial |
| topic | Distance learning Face-to-face learning Medical education Suturing skills Pandemic |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03353-3 |
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