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Measurable learning effects after a 1-week skills course in digestive surgery

International Journal of Colorectal Disease volume 25, pages 1133–1139 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the learning effects of a surgical skills course focussed on theoretical knowledge, anastomosis techniques and practical suturing skills in digestive surgery.

Methods

One hundred eight participants of a 1-week skills course, comprising practical exercises in conventional and laparascopic digestive surgery, were asked to complete questionnaires (self-evaluation and course evaluation) and a theoretical knowledge test prior to the beginning (tp1) and at the end of the course (tp2). Thirty-six randomly selected participants performed a handsewn anastomosis at tp1 and at tp2, whereby the respective performance of each participant was recorded on video film and awarded a comparative rating (points score).

Results

In regard to course expectations, 93.52% of the participants had expressed the objective to acquire knowledge in the field of standard surgical techniques, and 71.30% aimed to brush up their existing knowledge and skills. In this respect, participants' satisfaction at tp2 was recorded as high to very high. Confidence to carry out simple and more complex anastomosis was significantly increased (p < 0.001) at tp2. A significantly higher intestinal suture score (11.94 vs. 9.75) was attained at tp2 in a shorter time (176.22 vs. 277.11 s). The reduction in the time needed to complete the given task was accompanied by a corresponding improvement in the quality (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Surgical skill courses constitute an effective component of surgical training with a sustained impact and, therefore, should be integrated into a future curriculum.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of General, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Charité Universitary Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200, Berlin, Germany

    Jörn Gröne, Jörg-Peter Ritz, Kai S. Lehmann & Johannes C. Lauscher

  2. Institute for Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10098, Berlin, Germany

    Andrea Stroux

Authors
  1. Jörn Gröne
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  2. Jörg-Peter Ritz
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  3. Andrea Stroux
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  4. Kai S. Lehmann
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  5. Johannes C. Lauscher
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Correspondence to Jörn Gröne.

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Gröne, J., Ritz, JP., Stroux, A. et al. Measurable learning effects after a 1-week skills course in digestive surgery. Int J Colorectal Dis 25, 1133–1139 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-010-0976-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-010-0976-8

Keywords

  • Surgical skills
  • Surgical training
  • Anastomosis
  • Digestive surgery