Comparison of tele-simulation and on-site method for fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery skills training

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of using tele-simulation and on-site method for teaching the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery skills training. Methods A total of 53 surgeons were selected from Peking University People’s Hospital participated in this 8-week fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery(FLS) training from November, 2012 to August, 2015. Tele-simulation was set up for 22 surgeons as experimental group. A standard FLS on-site training for the 33 surgeons was as control group. FLS’s skills pretest and post-test scores were obtained in both groups. Results Participants had higher post-test FLS scores(89.3±5.3) than their pretest’s(55.3±6.6), and it showed statistical difference(P<0.001). Between the two groups, control group had higher pretest FLS scores(61.8±6.5) than that of experimental group (46.1±7.2), and it showed statistical difference(P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the post-test FLS scores between them(P=0.66). Conclusions Fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery skills training can significantly improve the laparoscopic skills of the trainees. Tele-simulation is an effective method for the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery skills training. Key words: Laparoscopic; Standardized training; Fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS); Tele-simulation