INCISION e-learning program as a useful teaching tool to enhance surgeons’ knowledge and skills: An Indonesian multi-center cross-sectional pilot study

Abstract

Background: Media aids are one of the most important components in the teaching and learning process. This pilot study program was conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of the INCISION e-learning program as teaching media in the surgical teaching and learning process, and its ability to improve surgical skills and knowledge achievement. Methods: One intervention group and one control group were involved in this study. The intervention group used the hysterectomy INCISION e-learning module, while the control group used conventional teaching approaches. The study was conducted with 14 resident surgeons in three universities in Indonesia: Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Airlangga, and Universitas Gajah Mada. The testing components used were a pre-test, post-test questionnaire (a modified Ritzman questionnaire) and direct observation of procedural skills in the operating room (OR). Data were analyzed descriptively using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. Results: Using a Mann-Whitney test, we found the differences between the average scores of the intervention group and the control group to be statistically significant (p=0.046). A Wilcoxon test also revealed significant differences (p=0.028). The modified Ritzman questionnaire also revealed that the residents in the intervention group felt more confident in their surgical knowledge (82%), and made more efficient use of their time in the OR (81%). Conclusions: These findings reveal a significant improvement in knowledge and skill achievement in residents that underwent training via the INCISION e-learning module, compared to residents taught via conventional teaching strategies.