Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Small Bowel Anastomosis Workshop during the COVID-۱۹ Pandemic

Background: Surgical education has traditionally been implemented through both theoretical and practical training. The practical teaching, in particular, has been significantly impacted during the coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) pandemic due to limited theatre time and a paucity of simulated or cadaveric courses. This study aims to evaluate the self-reported confidence and also knowledge of trainees attending a bowel anastomosis workshop.Materials and Methods: Fifteen trainees attended a bowel anastomosis workshop at a district general hospital in September ۲۰۲۰. To adhere to social distancing and infection control measures, the trainees were split into three groups. Each workshop was divided into three sections: (۱) end-to-end hand-sewn bowel anastomosis; (۲) stapled anastomosis; and (۳) stoma formation. Feedback was gathered from each attendee before and after each session using a questionnaire designed by the author that assessed self-reported confidence on a ۵-point Likert scale.Results: A total of ۸۶% of attendees were core surgical trainees (CT). There was a measured improvement in the confidence of trainees for all three of the techniques; bowel anastomosis (۱.۹ vs ۴.۲, p = ۰.۰۰۵۲), stapled anastomosis (۲.۲ vs. ۳.۸, p = ۰.۰۰۸۲), and stoma formation (۲.۲ vs. ۴.۳, p=۰.۰۰۳۶). A paired-samples t-test was used to compare the overall ‘confidence’ with each technique which combined the individual ratings for the theoretical and practical aspects.Conclusion: Medical education has undoubtedly been affected by the pandemic. It is necessary that deaneries and hospitals support doctors to ensure the continuation of remote and face-to-face education by organizing sessions planned quarterly despite the pandemic with strict safety measures and improve the confidence of the trainees.

Keywords:

Anastomosis , Confidence , COVID-۱۹ , Education , Social-distancing , Pandemic