A proposed basic paediatric surgical skills training course: a pilot, feasibility and outcome study towards standardisation of induction to paediatric surgery training

Abstract Background Paediatric surgery requires specialised skills, acquired through different traditional and newly applied training methods. However, there are several challenges in paediatric surgery training worldwide, especially among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), due to limited resources and increased workload. Objectives This study introduces and evaluates a basic paediatric surgical skills course (BPSS), as a training model, in an attempt to standardise simulation-based training (SBT) in paediatric surgical education and evaluate its educational impact in an LMIC. Design A cross-sectional (observational) study was conducted on trainees who participated in two iterations of a paediatric surgical skills course. The course included a series of didactic lectures by consultants in paediatric surgery, followed each by a hands-on session, with a 1:2 instructor-to-trainee ratio. Data were collected through post-course structured assessment questionnaires distributed to the candidates directly after the course, regarding each surgical skill and the entire content of the course. Setting Data are presented from the first two delivered national workshops, held in October 2021 and May 2022, which took place at a specialised learning resource centre (comprising conference/lecture halls and dry/animal simulation training laboratories) of a university-based medical school campus and cluster of tertiary hospitals, hosting this training. A structured feedback system was used to assess the learning outcomes. Participants The study comprised 25 trainees in the early stages of surgical training, including aspiring paediatric surgeons (interns) and beginner/entry-level (junior) surgical residents. Results The evaluation showed a high level of satisfaction with the practical sessions among trainees, particularly in suturing and knotting, laparoscopic introduction, and ergonomics sessions. Overall, 96% of trainees found the practical training methods to be sufficient and effective, and the same percentage would recommend the course to their peers. Conclusion The structured training model of the BPSS course showed notable satisfaction levels and increased confidence in surgical open and laparoscopic skills gained. These results suggest that short, intensive training sessions can be highly effective in improving core paediatric surgical skills.