[Student Training in Surgical Wound Care: Development and Curricular Implementation of a Course for the Improvement of Practical Skills and Expertise].

Abstract

Wound care is an important medical skill that is not an important part of medical training. National and international studies show that the teaching of wounds is inadequate in medical curricula and that there is a desire for further training among students. Therefore the aim of this project was to improve students' expertise in surgical wound care.Following a survey of students in their 2nd clinical and practical year (n = 169) at the Faculty of Medicine in Kiel that addressed their level of knowledge of wound care, an innovative teaching concept was designed, including a practical section using real-life models. The pilot course was held in the summer semester of 2023 and the learning success was determined by a pre-post survey of the entire semester. The course was then implemented into the curriculum.The assessment of the level of knowledge revealed important uncertainties. In the practical year, 39.7% were confident in aseptic wound care. Training in wound care was rated as inadequate. Completion of our course resulted in an increase in the assessment of their own skills. The identified uncertainties were reduced by the training: 75% of students were confident in wound care.This course improves medical education, can be easily implemented in any faculty and could lead to improved patient care.