Abstract
BackgroundSeveral studies have found a positive effect on the learning curve as well as the improvement of basic psychomotor skills in the operating room after virtual reality training. Despite this, the majority of surgical and gynecological departments encounter hurdles when implementing this form of training. This is mainly due to lack of knowledge concerning the time and human resources needed to train novice surgeons to an adequate level. The purpose of this trial is to investigate the impact of instructor feedback regarding time, repetitions and self-perception when training complex operational tasks on a virtual reality simulator.Methods/DesignThe study population consists of medical students on their 4th to 6th year without prior laparoscopic experience. The study is conducted in a skills laboratory at a centralized university hospital. Based on a sample size estimation 98 participants will be randomized to an intervention group or a control group. Both groups have to achieve a predefined proficiency level when conducting a laparoscopic salpingectomy using a surgical virtual reality simulator. The intervention group receives standardized instructor feedback of 10 to 12 min a maximum of three times. The control group receives no instructor feedback. Both groups receive the automated feedback generated by the virtual reality simulator. The study follows the CONSORT Statement for randomized trials. Main outcome measures are time and repetitions to reach the predefined proficiency level on the simulator. We include focus on potential sex differences, computer gaming experience and self-perception.DiscussionThe findings will contribute to a better understanding of optimal training methods in surgical education.Trial RegistrationNCT01497782
Highlights
Several studies have found a positive effect on the learning curve as well as the improvement of basic psychomotor skills in the operating room after virtual reality training
Current literature suggests a predefined proficiency level based on experts’ performance as a preferred outcome for novice training rather than a fixed training time [8,9,10], but it has not been investigated whether instructor feedback impacts training to this predefined proficiency level in complex operational tasks
Secondary research goals are to examine self-directed learning towards receiving instructor feedback along with potential sex differences and computer game experience during virtual reality (VR) training. With this randomized trial we aim to study the need for human resources and optimal training methods when using VR simulation, and, explore the best set up for surgical education
Summary
Several studies have found a positive effect on the learning curve as well as the improvement of basic psychomotor skills in the operating room after virtual reality training. The majority of surgical and gynecological departments encounter hurdles when implementing this form of training This is mainly due to lack of knowledge concerning the time and human resources needed to train novice surgeons to an adequate level. The purpose of this trial is to investigate the impact of instructor feedback regarding time, repetitions and selfperception when training complex operational tasks on a virtual reality simulator. Based on a sample size estimation 98 participants will be randomized to an intervention group or a control group Both groups have to achieve a predefined proficiency level when conducting a laparoscopic salpingectomy using a surgical virtual reality simulator. The present randomized trial focuses on self-directed learning in regards to when to receive instructor feedback
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