gms | German Medical Science

Objectives: Understanding the biomechanical principles of osteosynthesis is crucial for orthopaedic residents. Traditional medical education often employs text or image-based materials followed by hands-on practice, yet the full comprehension of the osteosynthesis biomechanics principles often remains challenging. To address this gap, a free online tool Osteosynthesis App (OSapp, https://osapp.ch) was introduced, that leverages interactive 3D models for educational purposes. This study aimed to evaluate how effectively learning with OSapp enhances the acquisition and retention of biomechanical osteosynthesis principles among residents at various stages of their training.

Methods: A three-stage evaluation study using 24 multiple choice questions (MCQs) was performed involving junior (years 1–3, N=23) and senior (years 4–5, N=7) resident surgeons from the same clinical department. The first assessment stage determined knowledge level at baseline. Following this, the residents engaged in a week-long self-learning session using the 3D interactive principles within OSapp, after which they were tested at the second stage assessment with the identical set of MCQs. To evaluate the enduring effects of this educational approach, a retention test was conducted two months later.

Results and conclusion: The baseline evaluation revealed significantly better performance for senior versus junior residents (p<0.05). The second stage assessment showed that, after self-learning with OSapp, both junior and senior residents significantly improved their scores compared to the individual baseline stage (p<0.05), although seniors continued to lead in performance (p< 0.001). Juniors at second stage reached the seniors' initial baseline level (p>0.35). No notable decline in the knowledge levels was found for either group at the third stage test following the two-month retention period, compared to the scores achieved immediately after the intervention (p>0.25). The initially observed performance gap between the senior and junior residents was no longer detectable after the retention period, indicating no significant differences in knowledge levels (p>0.1).

The findings of this study indicate that the use of interactive 3D models for learning can significantly enhance the understanding of biomechanical principles among both junior and senior medical residents, with improvements lasting at least for two months post-intervention. The success of the interactive, online 3D learning tool OSapp in fostering a deep and lasting comprehension of osteosynthesis biomechanics principles among learners at various stages of their training suggests its potential as a valuable component of surgical education programs. These results support the inclusion of these novel learning methods in surgical training curricula to facilitate a more effective acquisition and retention of biomechanical knowledge that is essential for successful surgical performance and good clinical outcomes in fracture treatment.