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World Journal of Surgery

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01-01-2019 | Original Scientific Report

Trends in Retention and Decay of Basic Surgical Skills: Evidence from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia: A Prospective Case–Control Cohort Study

Authors: Abebe Bekele, Sahlu Wondimu, Naod Firdu, Mulat Taye, Amezene Tadesse

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Introduction

While prior studies have evaluated surgical skills simulation and retention in highly resourced environments, there is paucity of data on the retention of surgical skills taught in simulation laboratory to undergraduate students, and virtually none from low-resource settings. We aimed to evaluate the trends in retention/decay of surgical skills among medical students in Ethiopia and determine whether regular intervention in the form of intermittent skills testing can aid retention.

Methods

Forty-four final year medical students were randomly divided into two cohorts of 22 students each. All 44 were trained in surgical instrument identification, simple interrupted suturing and one-handed knot tying. A previously validated, standardized assessment was performed before training, immediately after training, and then at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year for cohort 1, and before training, immediately after training, and at 6 months and 1 year for cohort 2. All areas learned were tested for general decay.

Results

The baseline mean scores of surgical skills were 3.8/30 for instrument identification, 3.3/15 for one-handed knot tying, and 1.35/15 for suturing. At the end of the training, mean scores improved to 26.6/30, 11.2/15 and 11.1/15 (instrument identification +599% and +772%, knot tying +447% and +417%, suturing +237% and +260%, respectively, for Cohort I and II). At 6 months and 1 year, there was a significant drop in all the three areas tested, especially in knot tying and suturing. There was no statistically significant difference between the two cohorts.

Conclusions

While our surgical skills course is an effective means to teach surgical skills to medical students, there is significant decay in abilities after 6 months. Conducting regular assessments does not appear to have any effect in helping students retain these skills. We recommend such surgical skills training be conducted at appropriate intervals, such as just before internship, to prepare student for active surgical practice.

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Title: Trends in Retention and Decay of Basic Surgical Skills: Evidence from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia: A Prospective Case–Control Cohort Study
Authors: Abebe Bekele
Sahlu Wondimu
Naod Firdu
Mulat Taye
Amezene Tadesse
Publication date: 01-01-2019
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-018-4752-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Trends in Retention and Decay of Basic Surgical Skills: Evidence from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia: A Prospective Case–Control Cohort Study

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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