A Face-to-Face Surgical Instrumentation Course During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Infection Control

Background:

• Surgical instrumentation teaching is crucial for core surgical training.
• Access to formal and informal teaching has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Limited literature exists on designing effective face-to-face courses during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a surgical instrumentation teaching course for local trainees.
• To describe the practicalities of running a face-to-face course with COVID-19 restrictions.
• To assess the effectiveness of the course in improving knowledge and confidence.

Main Methods:

• A face-to-face course was conducted with junior doctors and nurses rotating through five instrument stations.
• Social distancing and Level 2 personal protective equipment (PPE) were implemented.
• Matched pre- and post-course multiple-choice question (MCQ) tests were used for evaluation.

Main Results:

• Twenty attendees participated, with an average improvement of 9% in test scores (p = 0.009).
• 100% of attendees reported improved knowledge and confidence.
• The course demonstrated effectiveness in knowledge transfer despite COVID-19 restrictions.

Conclusions:

• Surgical instrumentation training is valuable for trainees.
• This practical, face-to-face course design is effective during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The study provides a model for educators on running practical courses with safety measures.