Spaced Education Improves the Retention of Laparoscopic Suturing Skills

TY - JOUR

T1 - Spaced Education Improves the Retention of Laparoscopic Suturing Skills

T2 - A Randomized Controlled Study

AU - Boettcher, Johannes

AU - Klippgen, Lea

AU - Mietzsch, Stefan

AU - Grube, Friederike

AU - Krebs, Thomas

AU - Bergholz, Robert

AU - Reinshagen, Konrad

AU - Boettcher, Michael

N1 - Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

PY - 2020/4

Y1 - 2020/4

N2 - INTRODUCTION:  Spaced learning has been shown to be superior in complex motor skill acquisition like laparoscopic suturing and knot tying. By using a pre-post follow-up design, the aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term impact of implementation of the spaced learning concept in laparoscopic training.MATERIALS AND METHODS:  To evaluate the effectiveness of spaced learning, subjects were asked to perform four surgeon's square knots on a bowel model within 30 minutes-prior and after 3 hours of hands-on training. To examine the long-term skills, the same students were asked to perform a comparable, but more complex, task (four slip knots in a model of esophageal atresia) 12 months later as follow-up measurement. Total time, knot stability (evaluated via tensiometer), suture accuracy, knot quality (Muresan scale), and laparoscopic performance (Munz checklist) were assessed. Moreover, motivation was accessed using Questionnaire on Current Motivation.RESULTS:  Twenty students were included in the study; after simple randomization, 10 were trained using the "spaced learning" concept and 10 via traditional methods. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics and improved after training significantly, regarding all aspects assessed in this study. Subjects that trained via spaced learning were superior in terms of speed (p = 0.021), knot quality (p = 0.008), and suture strength (p = 0.003). Additionally, spaced learning significantly decreased anxiety (p = 0.029) and probability of success (p = 0.005).CONCLUSION:  The spaced learning concept is very suitable for long-term complex motor skill acquisition, like laparoscopic suturing and knot tying. It is superior to conventional training regarding speed and, most importantly, knot quality and stability, resulting in improved confidence and motivation. Thus, we strongly recommend to incorporate the spaced learning concept into training courses and surgical programs.

AB - INTRODUCTION:  Spaced learning has been shown to be superior in complex motor skill acquisition like laparoscopic suturing and knot tying. By using a pre-post follow-up design, the aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term impact of implementation of the spaced learning concept in laparoscopic training.MATERIALS AND METHODS:  To evaluate the effectiveness of spaced learning, subjects were asked to perform four surgeon's square knots on a bowel model within 30 minutes-prior and after 3 hours of hands-on training. To examine the long-term skills, the same students were asked to perform a comparable, but more complex, task (four slip knots in a model of esophageal atresia) 12 months later as follow-up measurement. Total time, knot stability (evaluated via tensiometer), suture accuracy, knot quality (Muresan scale), and laparoscopic performance (Munz checklist) were assessed. Moreover, motivation was accessed using Questionnaire on Current Motivation.RESULTS:  Twenty students were included in the study; after simple randomization, 10 were trained using the "spaced learning" concept and 10 via traditional methods. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics and improved after training significantly, regarding all aspects assessed in this study. Subjects that trained via spaced learning were superior in terms of speed (p = 0.021), knot quality (p = 0.008), and suture strength (p = 0.003). Additionally, spaced learning significantly decreased anxiety (p = 0.029) and probability of success (p = 0.005).CONCLUSION:  The spaced learning concept is very suitable for long-term complex motor skill acquisition, like laparoscopic suturing and knot tying. It is superior to conventional training regarding speed and, most importantly, knot quality and stability, resulting in improved confidence and motivation. Thus, we strongly recommend to incorporate the spaced learning concept into training courses and surgical programs.

U2 - 10.1055/s-0039-1681022

DO - 10.1055/s-0039-1681022

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 30812035

VL - 30

SP - 193

EP - 200

JO - EUR J PEDIATR SURG

JF - EUR J PEDIATR SURG

SN - 0939-7248

IS - 2

ER -