Does Realism Matter? A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Models for Medical Student Suture Education.

backgroundWe hypothesized that medical students trained in suturing using high-fidelity models (cadaveric tissue) would demonstrate greater proficiency when compared with those trained using low-fidelity models (synthetic tissue).

methodsForty-three medical students were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of students taught to perform simple interrupted sutures using synthetic tissue, and group 2 consisted of those taught using human cadaveric tissue. Suturing proficiency was measured pre- and postinstruction using the Global Rating Scale and by measuring suture accuracy. Perceived confidence in suturing was measured on a scale of 0-100.

resultsPerceived confidence was measured as an average of 8.26 out of 100 pretraining and significantly improved after training (56.91 out of 100); however, there was no significant difference when comparing confidence between groups posttraining (57.65 cadaveric versus 56.05 synthetic;

conclusionsTraining medium fidelity (tissue versus synthetic) does not significantly influence a student's overall suturing performance. However, formal instruction significantly improves objective competence and perceived confidence. Regardless of the model, surgical departments should emphasize medical student exposure to basic surgical skills education.