Investigating the Perceived Efficacy of a Silicone Suturing Task Trainer Using Input from Novice Medical Trainees

Abstract

Suturing is an essential procedural skill that medical students are expected to be competent in before they graduate medical school; however, there is often a lack of suturing instruction and practice in undergraduate medicine curriculums. Silicone suturing task trainers created from 3D printed molds can help address this gap in medical education by improving student's manual skills before they perform procedures on real patients upon graduation. Commercially available suture task trainers on the market today lack validation from medical learners; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the perceived efficacy of a silicone skin suture task trainer created from a 3D printed mold using input from novice medical trainees. A silicone task trainer created by MUN Med 3D was used to teach suturing during two surgery interest group skill development sessions. At the end of the sessions, 38 medical students completed a product evaluation survey that assessed the perceived educational efficacy of the suturing task trainer. Overall, the feedback received from the participants was positive and supported the use of silicone suturing task trainers in undergraduate medicine curriculums.

Keywords: simulation based medical education; suture; three-dimensional printing.

Figure 1. Silicone suturing task trainer used for suturing simulation during the skills night

A: Complete set of materials each student was given for a session. B: Student practicing suturing.

Figure 2. Frequency of response for suture task trainer product evaluation survey questions 4, 5 and 10 (n = 38)

Q4: How effective is the suture skin task trainer in increasing your competency in suturing?  Q5: How effective is the suture skin task trainer in increasing your confidence to perform suturing? Q10: Rate the value of the suture skin task trainer as a training tool.

Figure 3. Frequency of responses for the global rating of improvements required for the suturing skin task trainer (n = 38)