Nathan Arjun, Fricker Monty, Patel Sonam, Georgi Maria, Hang Man Kien, Asif Aqua, Sinha Amil, Mullins William, Shea Jessie, Hanna Nancy, Lamb Benjamin, Kelly John, Sridhar Ashwin, Collins Justin
University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
JMIR Res Protoc. 2021 Jul 22;10(7):e28671. doi: 10.2196/28671.
Traditional face-to-face training (FFT) for basic surgical skills is inaccessible and resource-intensive. Noninteractive computer-based learning is more economical but less educationally beneficial. Virtual classroom training (VCT) is a novel method that permits distanced interactive expert instruction. VCT may optimize resources and increase accessibility.
We aim to investigate whether VCT is superior to computer-based learning and noninferior to FFT in improving proficiency in basic surgical skills.
This is a protocol for a parallel-group, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial. A sample of 72 undergraduates will be recruited from 5 medical schools in London. Participants will be stratified by subjective and objective suturing experience level and allocated to 3 intervention groups at a 1:1:1 ratio. VCT will be delivered using the BARCO weConnect software, and FFT will be provided by expert instructors. Optimal student-to-teacher ratios of 12:1 for VCT and 4:1 for FFT will be maintained. The assessed task will be interrupted suturing with hand-tied knots.
The primary outcome will be the postintervention Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills score, adjudicated by 2 experts blinded to the study and adjusted for baseline proficiency. The noninferiority margin (δ) will be defined using historical data.
This study will serve as a comprehensive appraisal of the suitability of virtual basic surgical skills classroom training as an alternative to FFT. Our findings will assist the development and implementation of further resource-efficient, accessible, virtual basic surgical skills training programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future.
International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN12448098; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12448098.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/28671.
传统的面对面基本外科技能培训难以实现且资源密集。非交互式计算机辅助学习成本更低，但教育效益较差。虚拟课堂培训（VCT）是一种新型方法，可实现远程交互式专家指导。VCT可能会优化资源并提高可及性。
我们旨在研究在提高基本外科技能熟练度方面，VCT是否优于计算机辅助学习且不劣于面对面培训（FFT）。
这是一项平行组、非劣效性随机对照试验方案。将从伦敦的5所医学院招募72名本科生作为样本。参与者将根据主观和客观缝合经验水平进行分层，并以1:1:1的比例分配到3个干预组。VCT将使用巴可weConnect软件进行授课，FFT将由专家教员提供。VCT的最佳师生比为12:1，FFT为4:1。评估任务将是用手打结进行间断缝合。
主要结局将是干预后的客观结构化技术技能评估得分，由2名对研究不知情的专家进行评判，并根据基线熟练度进行调整。非劣效性界值（δ）将使用历史数据来定义。
本研究将全面评估虚拟基本外科技能课堂培训作为FFT替代方案的适用性。我们的研究结果将有助于在新冠疫情期间及未来开发和实施更具资源效率、可及性更高的虚拟基本外科技能培训项目。
国际标准随机对照试验编号ISRCTN12448098；https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12448098。
国际注册报告识别码（IRRID）：PRR1-10.2196/28671。
