Research

The role of Moodle-based surgical skills illustrations using 3D animation in undergraduate training

M J Motsumi, A G Bedada, G Ayane

Abstract


Background. Teaching undergraduate surgical skills using plain models without detailed anatomy and text presentations lacks detail, and there is a need to explore other teaching methods.

Objective. To establish whether there is a difference in the satisfaction level and understanding between students taught using 3D animation v. traditional methods.

Methods. This was a randomised comparative study conducted over 1 year. Participants were third- and fifth-year undergraduate medical students who provided informed consent. They were randomly assigned to the 3D animation and traditional teaching groups. The animated procedures, the pre- and post-tests and the survey were hosted on Moodle. The difference between pre- and post-test scores is termed the impact score. The independent samples t-test was used to determine the significance of the difference in the impact scores of the two groups.

Results. Forty-five fifth-year students participated in 3 skills illustrations and 45 third-year students participated in 2 skills illustrations, giving a total of 225 data points. 3D animation teaching is associated with better understanding than traditional teaching (t(223)=6.701; p<0.001) (experimental group, mean 3.11; control group, mean 1.51). Traditional teaching was given a median rating of 5 (good) and a mode of 4 (average) v. a median and a mode of 8 (excellent) for 3D animation teaching on a scale of 1 - 10 (worst - superb). However, the combination of the two teaching methods was given a mode and a median of 10 (superb). All students recommended the adoption of 3D animation.

Conclusion. Students have a better understanding and higher satisfaction levels when taught using 3D animation.


Authors' affiliations

M J Motsumi, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

A G Bedada, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

G Ayane, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

Full Text

PDF (187KB)

Keywords

3D surgical skills animations; Computer-simulated surgical illustrations; Multimedia surgical skills illustrations; Three-dimensional surgical animations

Cite this article

African Journal of Health Professions Education 2019;11(4):149-152. DOI:10.7196/AJHPE.2019.v11i4.1189

Article History

Date submitted: 2019-12-12
Date published: 2019-12-12

Article Views

Abstract views: 5562
Full text views: 2639

Comments on this article

*Read our policy for posting comments here