Laparoscopic training workshop to assess medical students' skill acquisition and interest in surgical careers

Abstract

Background: With its minimally invasive approach, laparoscopic surgery has transformed the medical landscape. As the demand for these procedures escalates, there is a pressing need for adept surgeons trained in laparoscopic techniques. However, current training often falls short of catering to medical school education. This study evaluates the impact of a custom-designed laparoscopic training workshop on medical students' surgical skills and career aspirations.

Methods: This prospective experimental study was conducted at the E-Da hospital in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Medical students from Taiwanese medical schools undergoing Clerk 5, Clerk 6, and Postgraduate Year 1 and 2 were invited to participate. Medical students (n = 44) underwent an endoscopic skill training workshop consisting of lectures, box training, and live tissue training. The trainees performed multiple tasks before and after training using our objective evaluation system. The primary outcome was assessed before and after training through a questionnaire assessing the influence of training on students' interest in surgery as a career. The secondary outcome measured improvement in skill acquisition, comparing the task completion time pre- and post-workshop. For the primary outcome, descriptive statistics were used to summarize the questionnaire responses, and paired t-tests were performed to determine significant changes in interest levels post-workshop. For the secondary outcome, paired t-tests were used to compare the time recorded pre- and post-training.

Results: Post-training, participants exhibited significant proficiency gains, with task completion times reducing notably: 97 s (p = 0.0015) for Precision Beads Placement, 88.5 s (p < 0.0001) for Beads Transfer Exercise, 95 s (p < 0.0001) for Precision Balloon Cutting, and 137.8 s (p < 0.0001) for Intracorporeal Suture. The primary outcome showcased an increased mean score from 8.15 pre-workshop to 9.3 post-workshop, indicating a bolstered interest in surgery as a career. Additionally, post-training sentiment analysis underscored a predominant inclination toward surgery among 88% of participants.

Conclusion: The custom-designed laparoscopic workshop significantly improved technical skills and positively influenced students' career aspirations toward surgery. Such hands-on training workshops can play a crucial role in medical education, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills and potentially shaping the future of budding medical professionals.

Keywords: Laparoscopic surgery; Medical education; Surgical training; Training workshop.

Fig. 1

Training box. Training box containing laparoscopic instruments (graspers, scissors, and needle holders), a camera system, and materials for practicing skills (beads, balloons, and sutures)

Fig. 2

Laparoscopic tasks. (A) Precision bead placement, requiring precise positioning of beads using graspers; (B) Beads transfer exercise, focusing on instrument coordination and handling; (C) Precision balloon cutting, involving delicate peeling of an outer balloon without puncturing the inner water-filled balloon; (D) Intracorporeal suturing, necessitating mastery of suturing techniques within a confined space

Fig. 3

Comparison of pre-test and post-test completion times for various tasks

Fig. 4

Students’ surgical career aspirations: pre-workshop vs. post-workshop ratings

Fig. 5

Feedback on surgery career interest after the workshop