“I am a lefty in a right‐handed world”: Qualitative analysis of clinical learning experience of left‐handed undergraduate dental students

Lawati, Imad Al; Maskari, Hind Al; Ma, Sunyoung

doi:10.1111/eje.12432

Cited by 12 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In addition to the ergonomic designs of instruments and operating room set-up favoring right-handed use, this difference may reflect the fluidity of dexterity among left-handed people and the relatively rigid hand dominance of the right-handed population 7 . This finding echoes the experience of left-handed dental students, who were found to demonstrate “a very strong sense of adaptability” in a clinical setting that is oriented to right-handed practitioners 14 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Left-Handedness Among Orthopaedic Surgeons and Trainees

et al. 2020

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Background: The impact of left-handedness on orthopaedic surgeons and trainees has not been well described. We investigated the prevalence and perceived impact of left-handedness among orthopaedic surgeons and trainees. Methods: We distributed a survey regarding handedness to active members of the American Orthopaedic Association and the Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors affiliates, including department chairs, program directors, and residency and fellowship program coordinators. Program coordinators were asked to distribute the survey to their current residents and fellows. Results: Of 510 survey respondents, 78 (15%) were identified as left hand dominant (LHD). Regarding scalpel/cautery use, 64% of LHD respondents reported using their left hand primarily and 10% reported using their right hand primarily; 26% of LHD respondents described themselves as ambidextrous in scalpel/cautery use, compared with 4.7% of right hand dominant (RHD) respondents (p < 0.001). Regarding suturing, 53% of LHD respondents reported using their left hand primarily and 38% reported using their right hand primarily; 9.0% of LHD respondents described themselves as ambidextrous when suturing, compared with 1.9% of RHD respondents (p = 0.012). Only 5.1% of LHD respondents reported having received laterality-specific psychomotor training, whereas 17% perceived a need for such training during residency; RHD respondents reported similar rates. Ambidexterity in scalpel/cautery use or suturing among LHD respondents was not associated with the perception that their left-handedness was advantageous. LHD attending surgeons were more likely than LHD trainees to perceive their handedness as advantageous (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Fifteen percent of orthopaedic surgeons and trainees who responded to our survey were LHD. LHD respondents reported significantly higher rates of ambidexterity in both scalpel/cautery use and suturing compared with RHD respondents. Ambidexterity was not associated with a self-perception that left-handedness was advantageous. LHD-attending surgeons were significantly more likely than LHD residents/fellows to perceive their left-handedness as advantageous. There may be benefits to pairing LHD residents with LHD faculty surgeons early in their training to provide mentorship and insight regarding performing surgical procedures left handed. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Left-Handedness Among Orthopaedic Surgeons and Trainees

et al. 2020

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“…However, their efficiency, effectiveness and level of confidence tend to improve as they progressed in their course. This situation was consistent with the findings by Al-Lawati et al (2019) that the left-handed dental students perceived their efficiency and level of confidence to their left-hand; the pseudo-left-handers who switched hands performing the dental procedures; and the transformed lefthanders who have adapted using their right-hand. Left-handed dental students face difficulties in adapting to right-handed dental instruments and performing certain dental procedures.…”

Section: Theme 4: Consequencessupporting

confidence: 90%

Experiences of Left-Handed Undergraduates in a Dental Faculty in Malaysia

Nasir¹,

Jaafar²,

Wahab³

et al. 2019

AOS

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Work environment in dentistry benefits the right-handed dental practitioners. This situation requires the left-handers to work in an adjusted position causing them discomfort and inconvenience. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of the identified left-handed undergraduate dental students in Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in performing dental procedures. The first phase of the study was to determine handedness of the students using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory Questionnaire that was distributed to all the dental students. This was followed by a qualitative study using the phenomenology approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on left-handed students to determine their perceptions on left-handedness in performing dental procedures. The number of students interviewed was based on attainment of the saturation point. The interview was recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analysed through coding, categorising and grouping responses into themes. Prevalence of left-handedness in this faculty was 7%. The participants were not aware of the right-handed situation when they enrolled in the faculty. This situation gave rise to psychological impact such as anxiety and stress. Although some participants were able to use their right hand for certain procedures, the dominant hand continued to be their preference. The difficulties encountered when using the non-dominant hand were grip-strength, angulation and positioning of the instruments. Dental procedures in periodontology (such as scaling, root debridement) and oral surgery (tooth extraction, incision and suturing) were found to be very challenging. They experienced muscle fatigue, reduced precision and prolonged time to complete the dental procedures. They felt that they should be given more time to adapt using the right hand under the tutelage of left-handed faculty members. Left-handed dental students faced difficulties in adapting to the right-handed situation and affect their effectiveness and efficiency. Specific activities need to be designed for left-handers to adapt to the situation under the guidance of left-handed faculty members.

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“…From the perspective of simulation dental training, it has been identified that left‐handed students may find the learning environment challenging due to lack of appropriately tailored educational resources 17 . For these reasons, a mirror image of resources in the form of PerioPal has been developed exactly to the same standards as for the right‐handed students.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of an electronic guide on students’ self‐directed learning in simulation clinic

Terry

Liu

Divnic‐Resnik

2020

Eur J Dental Education

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Introduction Simulation training on high‐fidelity simulated models have been used to provide a safe and effective training platform for dental students to develop the skills necessary to treat patients. To surpass challenges of traditional pedagogies in simulation training and reinforce self‐directed learning, a bespoke computer application, PerioPal, was designed to complement training of dental students in periodontal instrumentation. Materials and methods This study evaluated the impact of PerioPal on a cohort of 92 second‐year dental students at an Australian University. During the first semester in 2019, they received traditional simulation periodontal instrumentation training (control semester). In the following semester, PerioPal was implemented as a technological teaching adjunct (intervention semester). Student perceptions of their learning experiences were gathered through a qualitative and quantitative questionnaire. Impact on student performance was evaluated through comparing periodontal instrumental assessment results in control and interventionsemesters. Results With introduction of PerioPal, students perceived that the simulation clinic learning environment, better contributed to the speed at which they learnt new instrumentation as well as being able to self‐pace their work. They commented that instructional videos and independent learning were most beneficial. Interestingly, students suggested that PerioPal aided their preparation for theoretical assessments more than their practical assessments. After introduction of PerioPal a minor improvement of average practical assessment marks was observed but could not be statistically confirmed as significant. Conclusion Although the computer‐supported learning did not lead to improvement of the students’ practical performance a positive effect on the student self‐paced learning experience and engagement in simulated environment were observed.

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“I am a lefty in a right‐handed world”: Qualitative analysis of clinical learning experience of left‐handed undergraduate dental students

Cited by 12 publications

References 21 publications

Left-Handedness Among Orthopaedic Surgeons and Trainees

Left-Handedness Among Orthopaedic Surgeons and Trainees

Experiences of Left-Handed Undergraduates in a Dental Faculty in Malaysia

The impact of an electronic guide on students’ self‐directed learning in simulation clinic

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