Abstract
Background: Simulation-based learning (SBL) is an essential adjunct to modern surgical education. Our study aimed to evaluate the educational benefit and motivational impact of a pilot practical neurosurgical module. Materials and methods: 38 clinical medical students from several EU Medical Schools attended an international surgical course focused on teaching and learning basic surgical skills. We designed a pilot neurosurgical workshop instructing students to insert an intracranial pressure bolt using an ex vivo pig model. Each delegate was assessed by two consultant neurosurgeons using a validated assessment tool. Structured questionnaires were distributed on completion of the module. Results: Delegate performance increased (p < 0.001) with no difference in performance improvement across year of study (p = 0.676) or medical school (p = 0.647). All delegates perceived this workshop as a potential addition to their education (median 5/5, IQR = 0), and indicated that the course provided motivational value towards a neurosurgical career (median 4/5, IQR = 1), with no difference seen between year of study or medical school (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our pilot neurosurgical workshop demonstrated the educational value of practical SBL learning for motivating students towards a surgical career. Homogeneous views across year of study and medical school underline the value of developing a unified strategy to develop and standardise undergraduate surgical teaching with a practical focus.
DOI
10.1016/j.amsu.2018.08.002
Publication Date
2018-01-01
Publication Title
Annals of Medicine and Surgery
Volume
34
ISSN
2049-0801
Keywords
ESMSC, Simulation-based learning, Undergraduate neurosurgical education
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
First Page
75
Last Page
79
Recommended Citation
Hanrahan, J., Sideris, M., Tsitsopoulos, P., Bimpis, A., Pasha, T., Whitfield, P., & Papalois, A. (2018) 'Increasing motivation and engagement in neurosurgery for medical students through practical simulation-based learning', Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 34, pp. 75-79. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2018.08.002
