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Utilizing 3D printed models as adjuncts in medical student training: a randomized control trial comparing traditional lectures to hands-on methods in craniosynostosis education
Erin Anstadt MD, Eva Roy BS, Lisa Block MD, Jesse Goldstein MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2020-02-13
Presenter: Erin Anstadt MD
Affidavit:
Vu Nguyen
Director Name: Vu Nguyen
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Craniomaxillofacial
Intro: Active learning strategies engage students to build knowledge. This study evaluates the addition of 3D printed skull models to medical student didactics on craniosynostosis.
Methods: Students in a Plastic Surgery elective were randomly assigned to receive a traditional lecture on craniosynostosis alone (control), or receive the lecture plus a hands-on session using 3D printed skull models demonstrating craniosynostosis (experimental group). A test evaluating knowledge of craniosynostosis was administered before the course (test 1). The experimental group repeated the test after the lecture and hands-on session, and the control group took the test after the lecture alone (test 2). Knowledge retention was assessed on a third test three weeks later.
Results: 21 students were enrolled and randomized to control (n=11) and experimental groups (n=10). Test 1 showed no significant difference in the mean overall score between groups (control=61%, experimental=57% correct). On test 2, the experimental group had a significantly higher mean score compared to controls, with 92.1% correct versus 82.6% (p=0.041). The experimental group correctly identified an average of 2 additional sutures on test 2 compared to test 1, whereas controls identified only 1 additional suture. The experimental group also identified 4 out of 5 distinct craniosynostosis head-shape patterns on test 2, significantly more than on test 1 (p=0.002).
Conclusions: 3-D printed skull models are effective educational adjuncts that improved test scores compared to traditional didactics alone. 3-D printing is an inexpensive tool that can be increasingly applied to education in craniofacial surgery with high satisfaction rates expected.
