Learning how to suture: Should learners observe a demonstration of someone who is experienced or inexperienced to improve their own performance? - 12/04/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2025.116276

Portia Kalun ^a,^b,^c, Ranil Sonnadara ^a,^b,^d,^⁎

^a Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada

^b Office of Education Science, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, A. N. Bourns Science Building Room 131, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada

^c Holland Bone & Joint Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada

^d Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, University of Toronto Stewart Building, 5th Floor, 149 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1P5, Canada

^⁎ Corresponding author. Office of Education Science, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, A. N. Bourns Science Building Room 131, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada. Office of Education Science Department of Surgery McMaster University A. N. Bourns Science Building Room 131 1280 Main Street West Hamilton Ontario L8S 4L8 Canada

Abstract

Background

We explored the influence of observing experienced or inexperienced demonstrators on a learner's own performance of a simple, interrupted suture.

Methods

Participants without suturing experience observed videos of an experienced or inexperienced demonstrator suturing, rated the performance, and then practiced the task; this was repeated twice more. Suturing performance was rated using a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS). We calculated participants' accuracy in rating the demonstrator's performances. Data were analyzed using mixed model analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and pairwise t-tests.

Results

Participants who observed the experienced demonstrator significantly improved their suturing performance. Participants who observed the inexperienced demonstrator became significantly more accurate at rating the demonstrator's performance.

Conclusions

Learners who are new to suturing can improve their suturing performance through observation of an experienced demonstrator and physical practice. While the experiment itself was conducted in-person, learners could engage in this method of learning remotely.

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Highlights

•	Observing either an expert or novice model helps improve suturing performance.
•	A novice model can improve performance by improving error detection ability.
•	Observation and physical practice in simulation improves suturing performance.

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Keywords : Suturing, Technical skills, Surgical education, Observational learning

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Article 116276- mai 2025 Retour au numéro

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Learning how to suture: Should learners observe a demonstration of someone who is experienced or inexperienced to improve their own performance? - 12/04/25

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Highlights

Plan

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