Suture workshops: An effective tool for teaching medical students

Abstract

Background Suturing is an integral part of medical training but exposure can be limited. Objectives Quality assessment of the effectiveness of 2nd year medical student suture workshop. Medical students underwent a training workshop during their clerkship introduction. A questionnaire was then created to assess the perceived usefulness of such a workshop Methods The members of the 2012 med 2 class were surveyed following completion of the suture workshop. The suture workshop consisted of both didactic as well as practical sessions. The surveys contained multiple choice and open ended questions. Results The surveys had a 90% response rate. Over 75% of clerks who attended the workshop had some prior suture experience. All of the clinical clerks reported the workshop to be useful. 84% of clerks described their level of comfort in suturing prior to the workshop as less than fair. Approximately 38% of clerks thought the didactic session was useful. 86% of clerks found the practice suture boards used during the workshop to be very useful. . All clerks found the practical portion of the workshop useful. Following the workshop more than 91% of clerks described their comfort level, with any type of suturing, as greater than fair. 100% of clerks stated they would like a refresher workshop. Conclusions Medical students determine a subjective improvement in suture skills following suture workshops. Clinical clerks appear to prefer a practical approach to suture instruction as compared with didactic sessions.