Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hand tendon injuries have substantial implications for individuals and communities, necessitating accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. These aspects are typically integral components of orthopedics and plastic surgery residency training in numerous countries. This study aims to assess the need for additional educational interventions among residents in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A 16-item questionnaire assessed hand tendon management topics, with content validity established using Lawshe's method. A cross-sectional study included 231 participants, analyzing variables through descriptive statistics, reliability analysis (Cronbach's Alpha), and statistical tests (Chi-square, t-tests, ANOVA) to examine relationships, compare means, and identify predictors (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The majority of respondents were board residents (81.4%, n = 188) specializing in orthopedics (90.9%, n = 210). Findings revealed positive outcomes with above-average mean ratings across all aspects of hand tendon injury management topics. Overall needs were evaluated using a hundred-point mean score, yielding a mean of 78.61 (SD = 19.5) indicating a generally favorable needs in this area. Among the topic categories, basic sciences received the highest mean score (mean = 81.85, SD = 21.3), while secondary flexor tendon surgery had the lowest mean score (mean = 73.48, SD = 25.8). Significant correlations were observed among all sub-categories (p < 0.001) indicating construct validity. Reliability analysis showed high Cronbach's alpha values, indicating strong internal consistency across different categories. CONCLUSIONS: Further training interventions are crucial for effective hand tendon injury management among residents in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on comprehensive knowledge acquisition rather than solely skill development.