An education theory-based method to teach a procedural skill.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of an education theory-based method to teach students to place and tie a simple interrupted stitch.

DESIGN

A teaching intervention before-after trial.

SETTING

Dermatology department, academic university.

PARTICIPANTS

Fourth-year medical students and dermatology residents.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Scores on a 12-criterion grading instrument before and after instruction.

RESULTS

The scores for medical students and residents in each class showed significant improvement. The mean score for all participants (N = 23) rose by 24% after instruction (P< .001). Scores in 9 of the 12 graded performance areas improved significantly after instruction, including scores in tissue damage/teeth marks (P<.001), needle dulled/bent (P< .001), needle loaded properly and knots square (P = .01), throws done correctly (P = .01), stitch tension and needle entry/exit angle (P = .02), amount of suture used (P = .03), and correct number of throws (P = .04). In addition, participants' confidence increased significantly after instruction (P<.001). No difference was noted between men and women in preinstruction vs postinstruction score improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

This teaching method can be effectively used to teach students to place and tie a simple interrupted stitch. Once validated and expanded, it may prove useful in shortening and standardizing procedural skill training and in objectively documenting competency.