An Educational Network for Surgical Education Supported by Gamification Elements: Protocol for a Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Skills Training
• Digital Health

Background:

• Traditional surgical skills training relies on observation, leading to inconsistent proficiency.
• Limited faculty availability and the COVID-19 pandemic hinder traditional medical student training.
• Existing online courses lack practical, hands-on technical training components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and usability of web-based peer-learning for advanced suturing techniques using the Gamified Educational Network (GEN).
• To assess medical students' ability to identify and perform running subcuticular sutures.
• To measure student satisfaction with the GEN learning tool.

Main Methods:

• Prospective randomized controlled trial with blinded expert examiners involving first-year medical students.
• Four groups: control, self-learning, peer-learning, and peer-learning with expert feedback (15 participants each).
• Intervention involves learning running subcuticular sutures via GEN videos, with pre/post-intervention skill assessment using standardized scales (OSATS, SCS).

Main Results:

• The study is approved by the institutional review board and adheres to the Declaration of Helsinki.
• No participants have been recruited yet; data collection is pending.
• The primary outcome is the change in students' ability to identify and perform the correct suturing technique.

Conclusions:

• Web-based peer-learning via GEN can address limitations in surgical education caused by the pandemic and faculty shortages.
• This innovative approach has the potential to reduce anxiety associated with traditional suturing classes.
• The study aims to establish a sustainable method for enhancing surgical skills education in medical faculties.