The use of simulation with non-living model to enhance medical students' learning in a surgical training course

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the new medical curriculum program, we planned a non-Vivo model training program to teach the cutaneous flap's basic concepts. The purpose of this protocol is to create a basic flap training program for junior surgeons. Methods: Seven days before the presential meeting, the didactic material and a questionnaire (pre-test) to measure the theoretical knowledge will be sent to students. At the meeting day, we will discuss the basic concepts of the cutaneous flap (15 minutes). Then the participants will design and explain several cutaneous flaps design in an ethyl-vinyl-acetate foil (30min). After this training, they will go to the wet lab, and they will perform all the cutaneous flap in a porcine belly non-living model (30min). We will assess participant performance by applying a Global rate scale, confidence level scale (Likert scale) in three different periods (pre-test, immediately post-training, and three months after surgical training). We will analyze all data using non-parametric tests to learn about the efficacy of this method. Discussion: This program aims to increase the student's confidence level as this may reflect somehow his future competence. This study aims to present a step-wise learning method to teach the basic concepts of cutaneous flaps; this method will also help with the consolidation of the learning skills.