Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many pre-clinical medical school courses were conducted virtually. In order to increase exposure to basic procedures in the remote learning setting, our group developed a virtual dermatologic surgery workshop.
 Objective: To evaluate whether a virtual dermatologic surgery workshop increases medical student confidence in their ability to perform suturing and skin biopsies.
 Methods: All 147 second-year medical students at the University of Pittsburgh watched 70 minutes of pre-recorded lectures that introduced suturing, skin biopsies, and other dermatologic procedures. Each student was provided with a suturing kit to remotely practice the following skills: simple interrupted suture, simple running suture, horizontal mattress suture, vertical mattress suture, running subcuticular suture, shave biopsy, and punch biopsy. Pre- and post-workshop surveys were distributed to the students and paired using a randomized de-identified number.
 Results: 117 (80%) students completed the pre-survey and 71 (48%) completed the post-survey. 61 (41%) responses were paired. The average baseline level of confidence ranged from 1.0 on a 10-point scale for subcuticular running suture to 2.4 for simple interrupted suture. The average level of confidence increased after the workshop for each skill, ranging from 3.7 for subcuticular running suture to 8.0 for instrument tie. In the paired responses, the average level of confidence increased significantly for each skill by an average of 5.5 points (SD=1.1, p<.001).
 Conclusions: A virtual, asynchronous dermatologic surgery workshop significantly increases medical student confidence in their ability to perform suturing and skin biopsies.
Highlights
Medical students benefit from early and repeated practice with surgical skills
In the era of COVID-19, many preclinical medical school curricula have transitioned to remote learning, which may reduce critical early exposure to basic procedures
We evaluated whether this asynchronous, virtual procedural workshop affected their level of confidence (LOC) in their ability to perform these skills
Summary
Medical students benefit from early and repeated practice with surgical skills. Students who participate in procedure training demonstrate increased confidence and ability when applying these skills to patients.[1]. Our group developed a dermatologic surgery curriculum for secondyear medical students in order to address the need for continued procedural education in the remote learning setting. We evaluated whether this asynchronous, virtual procedural workshop affected their level of confidence (LOC) in their ability to perform these skills. In order to increase exposure to basic procedures in the remote learning setting, our group developed a virtual dermatologic surgery workshop. Conclusions: A virtual, asynchronous dermatologic surgery workshop significantly increases medical student confidence in their ability to perform suturing and skin biopsies
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