The Effect of Interruptions on Novices Learning a Challenging Surgical Skill

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine how interruptions affect the acquisition of laparoscopic skills among novices. Undergraduate students with no prior laparoscopic experience completed a basic laparoscopic training task requiring them to pick up and transfer colored objects in a predetermined sequence. The number of colored objects in the sequence was varied to produce three levels of task demand. During execution of the primary task, participants were exposed to a visual interruption by having their video display go blank. The length of interruptions was also varied to examine its effect on memory for the sequence of object moves. Results show greater perceived workload and sequence errors as the demand of the ring transfer task increased. Interruptions from simulated equipment failure were not found to negatively impact recollection of the predetermined color sequences.