To develop and validate a scoring system (Essential Suturing Skills - ESS) for evaluating fundamental suturing performance in medical students.
Approach:
Study Design: A prospective cohort study was conducted with fourth-year medical students at Universidade Positivo, involving basic suturing training and performance assessment.
ESS Testing: Students performed suturing tasks on synthetic materials, with assessments conducted before and after a 30-hour training course.
ESS Platform: A low-cost, handcrafted wooden platform was developed for the study, utilizing simple materials for suturing practice.
Task Description: Participants completed two tasks: simple interrupted suture and simple running suture, assessed using a scoring system adapted from OSATS.
ESS Score Calculation: The ESS score was calculated using a mathematical equation that integrated execution time and skill evaluation for both suturing tasks.
Key Findings:
A validated scoring system for suturing skills was developed and tested.
The ESS score incorporates both objective and subjective measures for evaluating suturing performance.
The study emphasizes the need for structured training and assessment in surgical education.
Interpretation:
The development of the ESS score addresses a gap in surgical training by providing a standardized method to evaluate suturing skills.
Limitations:
The study was conducted at a single institution, which may limit generalizability.
The sample size and diversity of participants may not fully represent the broader medical student population.
Conclusion:
The ESS scoring system provides a standardized method for assessing essential suturing skills in medical education.
