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Abstract Aim The aim of this audit was to assess the level of medical students’ competence in in basic wound closure, which is a skill listed in the GMC’s outcomes for graduates. Secondary aims included assessing self-reported confidence levels, before and after a period of teaching in wound closure techniques, and likelihood of students choosing a surgical career. Method A cohort of UK Medical Students attended face to face practical suturing sessions with tutors. Students were assessed against a standardised Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSAT) before and after receiving practical suturing sessions and a period of self-directed learning. Students completed pre-session and post-session online questionnaires rating their self-confidence on performing a variety of wound closure techniques. Students were also asked to indicate whether they would be likely to choose a surgical career on the post session questionnaire. Results The percentage of students being able to competently perform simple interrupted sutures for wound closure increased significantly from 0 to 100%. Analysis of the student’s questionnaires demonstrated a significant improvement in self-rated confidence across all suturing techniques. 72% of students indicated that they would be more likely to choose a surgical career after the teaching. Conclusions Medical students often get minimal suturing teaching during their education despite wound closure being an important skill in many medical specialities and required by the GMC’s standards for medical graduates. Lack of adequate hands-on practice can detrimentally impact student’s competence and confidence, and this can potentially translate post-graduation, and influence their choice of speciality.
Carvalho et al. (Mon,) studied this question.