Development of a surgical skillslab otorhinolaryngology
Summary
Background:
Training in clinical and surgical skills is generally accepted as an important part of veterinary
educational programmes. Later on these skills represent an important part of the work of
veterinary practitioners, namely diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Nowadays it is known
that clinical internships do not provide the ideal learning environment for students. Medical
schools cannot rely on internships alone anymore, to provide adequate basic skills training.
Surgical Skills laboratories provide a new environment for teaching these skills. The aim of this
study is to produce different training models for practicing otorhinolaryngology procedures, to
be used by veterinary students in their master programme.
Implementation:
To get inspiration there was a visit to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Copenhagen,
Denmark. Here students can already learn and practice their skills with different handmade
veterinary models. Different materials were applied, bought, investigated and tested for their
usability. At the end there is made a decision of what materials to use based on costs, usability,
resemblance with the tissue of a living animal and the ability to replace the material after
being used.
Results:
Three models for the skills lab otorhinolaryngology are made. The first can be used for
practicing tracheotomy and the placement of a temporary tracheostomy tube. With the second
model students can practice the surgical treatment of an othematoma. The third model can be
used for the placement of an esophagostomy feeding tube. For each model there are
instructions and a list of materials to replace the used parts of the model. Because for each
new student, practicing on a model, only a small part has to be replaced, there are no high
costs per student for practicing. The multiple-use capability of the models increases the
potential cost savings.
Conclusions:
It is possible to develop a surgical skills lab with adequate models which are easy to use, can
be reproduced easily and are relatively cheap. Skills laboratory training prepares students
for internships and also positively influences their learning during internships. They can practice
skills independently and there is no infringement at the integrity of animals.