Theme: 10AA Surgery |
Demonstration Videos for Surgical Teaching: A pilot study | ||||||
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Surgical teaching received on parallel firms has been demonstrated to be inconsistent. Therefore students may not get the opportunity to formally learn more specialist surgical examinations such as breast, thyroid or digital rectal examinations.
We recorded demonstration videos in accordance with the students’ curriculum for breast, thyroid and digital rectal examinations. These were used for lab based teaching sessions on a pilot group of third year medical students undertaking their first clinical firm in surgery. Students practiced the examination skills demonstrated in the video using training models, under supervision. Their feedback was obtained.
Nine students piloted the examination practice sessions. They were asked to provide feedback on the videos and their content as well as how the training impacted on their confidence pre and post-session.
All students strongly agreed that the videos were relevant and the content was pitched at the correct level.
All students either strongly agreed (8/9) or agreed (1/9) that the video provided clear demonstration. Similarly 7 students strongly agreed and 2 students agreed that the videos could be used for future revision.
All students (Strongly agreed and agreed) reported an improvement in their confidence for examination technique following these sessions.
Use of formal demonstration videos can standardize the content being taught to students, particularly with examination skills. They can also save time by allowing larger groups to view demonstrations clearly, leaving more time for practice.
Lab-based practice can also provide opportunities that many students may not get in a busy clinical setting to thoroughly practice examination technique without inconveniencing patients. This can be very important for more intimate examinations that patients may be more reluctant to allow students to perform.
Video demonstrations are highly recommended as a method for teaching examination skills with standardized content in a time-saving manner, when coupled with lab-based practice, allows students to gain excellent practical exposure.