Undergraduate skills training in pandemic times: where is the future of medical education?
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Andrzej Hecker [1] ; Sebastian P. Nischwitz [1] ; Johanna Petritsch [1] ; Judith C. J. Holzer-Geissler [1] ; Alexander Draschl [1] ; Thomas Wegscheider [1] ; David Benjamin Lumenta [1]
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[1] Medical University of Graz
Medical University of Graz
Graz, Austria
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- Localización: EJIHPE: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, ISSN 2174-8144, ISSN-e 2254-9625, Vol. 13, Nº. 7, 2023, págs. 1219-1228
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced medical programs to rapidly switch to remote teaching from scratch, impacting hands-on skills training. This study compared the efficacy of a hybrid online format to a regular in-person session for a mandatory surgical skills class. Methods:
Third-year undergraduate medical students attending the surgical skills class in the winter semester of 2020/21 at the Medical University of Graz were randomly assigned to either the hybrid or inperson class, depending on their course schedule and government regulations. The hybrid class involved online videos, one-on-one peer tutoring, and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Pre- and post-class self-assessments were conducted to evaluate their theoretical and practical knowledge of a single interrupted suture. Results: The study included 85 students in the regular inperson class and 50 in the hybrid class. A pre-class assessment revealed higher self-assessments in the hybrid class for theoretical and practical knowledge, but a post-class assessment showed no significant difference. The advantages and disadvantages of both modalities were identified, providing valuable insights for future curriculum development. Conclusions: Both teaching modes were effective for undergraduate surgical skills training. This study recommends implementing positive aspects of both the hybrid and in-person formats while recognizing their respective limitations.
