The main objective of this study is to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of Distance Learning (DL) of basic suturing skills in novice learners.

A prospective randomized controlled trial involving 118 pre-medical and medical students with no previous experience in suturing was conducted. Participants were randomized into two groups for learning simple interrupted suturing: F-F and DL groups (59 students in each group) . Evaluation was conducted by two independent assessors. Agreement between the assessors was calculated, and performance scores of the participants were compared between the two groups.

All the participants demonstrated their ability to place three interrupted sutures, with no significant difference in the performance between the two groups. All the respondents positively rated the teaching sessions, found them useful and enjoyable.

Distance learning of basic suturing is as effective as the face-to-face approach in novice learners

At our hospital, during the initial lock-down period in March and April 2020, all medical students' clinical clerkships were temporarily cancelled, and their educational activities switched to web-based remote learning, utilizing teleconferencing and commercially available web-based interactive clinical modules. Teaching surgical technical skills, such as basic suturing, presented itself as a more challenging component of the clinical education under these unusual circumstances as compared to teaching cognitive skills and knowledge, which raised questions and concerns around the effectiveness and acceptability of distance learning of basic surgical skills.

In this study, the investigators aimed to compare the effectiveness and retention of distance learning to the traditional face-to-face learning of basic (simple interrupted) suturing in novice learners. This study entails a prospective randomized trial involving two arms (traditional face-to-face versus distance learning of basic simple interrupted suturing) in pre-medical students as well as first and second year medical students at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Immediately after the teaching session as part of research, two independent surgeons assessed the students' simple interrupted suturing performance using a validated checklist and OSATS global rating.

The difference in performance was used to determine the effectiveness of distance learning of basic suturing as compared to the traditional instructional method. In addition, the students in both groups were asked to complete a questionnaire (immediately after the teaching session) to investigate their satisfaction and confidence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pre-medical, first, and second-year medical students with no previous experience in suturing.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous experience in suturing.Refusal of enrolment.

Pre-medical, first, and second-year medical students from a four-year Doctor of Medicine graduate-entry programme. Premedical students include senior biology, medical laboratory, and nutrition students. All participants had no previous experience with suturing. Basic suturing is one of the educational activities of the third-year medical students, before which students are not normally exposed to basic suturing skills teaching sessions. The participants were recruited via an email sent to all the potential candidates for participation in this study.

The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to the Institutional Review Board requirements but are available from the corresponding author upon a reasonable request.