Abstract
Aim
The study aims to assess effectiveness of a three-hour suturing skills course for healthcare professionals at a tertiary hospital in London. Intended outcomes were improvement in confidence and proficiency at simple interrupted sutures.
Method
Four suturing sessions were delivered over five months to healthcare workers new to the clinical setting. The session included lecture, video, and practical skills. Participants completed a pre- and post-course survey to measure confidence levels in suturing using Likert scale. Participants performed simple interrupted sutures for 10 minutes in a pre- and post-course assessment. Performance was assessed using a suturing proficiency proforma. Pre- and post-course data was compared to assess improvement.
Results
Fifty participants attended the course. 93% had previous suturing teaching. Pre-course confidence in simple interrupted suture was 3.1 (SD = 1.2) and post course was 4.8 (SD = 0.2). One tailed T score was 14.7, and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). Pre- and post-course assessment demonstrated improvement in the following parameters and participant proportions: handling of the needle driver (50%, n = 25), adequate placement of needle driver (68%, n = 34), appropriate needle angle entering skin (60%, n = 30), following needle curve (36%, n = 18), non-touch technique (64%, n = 32), surgical knot tying (56%, n = 28). Average number of sutures completed in 10 minutes increased by 1.9 times.
Conclusions
The majority of participants had previously been taught suturing in other settings; however, data demonstrated improvement in confidence and performance. Ad-hoc suturing skill teaching is a valuable tool to increase confidence of healthcare workers at early stages in their careers.
Needle Driver Control for a Robotic MIS Suturing System
