Surgery training on dummy reassures students

A surgical training model (STM) was developed to test the hypothesis that practical training on an STM before performing live surgery would enhance the students' confidence. In addition, low-cost and easily accessible materials were used for the construction.

In the STM, neodymium magnets that were detached if too much traction was applied were used to ensure careful tissue handling during ligation of the ovarian pedicles and cervix. A pilot study was performed to evaluate veterinary undergraduate students' confidence when using the STM before performing their first live feline ovariohysterectomy (OHE) as lead surgeon.

The results showed that the students rated their confidence level higher after performing feline OHE if they had practiced with the STM before surgery. Voluntary written comments revealed that live surgery as a learning situation could have a very negative emotional impact on some students.

Link to the article

http://jvme.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/jvme.1015-165R2

Reference

Märit Badman, Marja Tullberg, Odd Höglund, Ragnvi Hagman. Veterinary Student Confidence after Practicing with a New Surgical Training Model for Feline Ovariohysterectomy. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. 2016 Aug 3:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]. DOI: 10.3138/jvme.1015-165R2