Can Japanese Medical Students Correctly Bandage a Patient's Upper Arm? A Retrospective Study
10.11307/mededjapan.55.2_189
- VernacularTitle:Can Japanese Medical Students Correctly Bandage a Patient's Upper Arm? A Retrospective Study
- Author:
Hideaki WATANABE
1
;
Hirokazu INOUE
2
;
Yuki IIJIMA
2
;
Shinya HAYASAKA
3
;
Katsushi TAKESHITA
2
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, Jichi Children's Medical Center, Tochigi, Japan
2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
3. Faculty of Human Life Sciences, Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan
- Keywords:
bandage;
bandaging technique;
medical student
- From:Medical Education
2024;55(2):189-192
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: This retrospective study was conducted to investigate whether medical students have ever bandaged patients' limbs, whether they feel confident in their ability to bandage, and whether their bandaging skills are adequate.Methods: The study included consecutive fifth-year medical students who had not been taught bandaging knowledge and skills. In total, 232 students (163 men, 69 women) participated in the study. Prior to the practical session, the students' experiences and confidence in bandaging were assessed. During the practical, an evaluator assessed the students' bandaging skills, determining the correct application of bandages and assigned a numerical score. Correlations were analyzed using the Chi-square test.Results: Of the medical students in this study, 60% had not bandaged a limb by their fifth year, and 91% lacked confidence in their bandaging ability. Only 32% of students could correctly apply a bandage with a perfect score. No significant relationships were identified between experience and bandaging skill (P = 0.64) or confidence and bandaging skill (P = 0.36).Conclusions: Bandages must be applied perfectly to prevent loosening and contamination of the wound. Nevertheless, most medical students had not bandaged a limb, lacked confidence in their bandaging abilities, and were unable to correctly apply a bandage. It is imperative that medical educators teach bandaging skills to medical students and provide ample opportunities for practice.
