A Pilot Study on Training Simulator Efficacy
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to plan an effective learning path in minimally invasive thoracic and general surgery with a virtual training simulator for trainees and to assess the improvement of residents' surgical skills by the introduction of this virtual training program.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
All thoracic and general surgery trainees at the first and second year of residency will be randomized in two groups: A) trainees undergoing an intensive (twice a week) virtual training program and B) those undergoing a non-intensive virtual training program (once a week).
The virtual training program will be organized in 4 modules, each of 12 weeks and, according to the training simulator instructions, for each surgical skill there are predetermined goals to be achieved by the trainee. Data about duration of surgical maneuvers and type and number of mistakes made by the trainee at each training session will be collected and compared with those of the same trainee at the previous session; this will assess the number of training sessions required to achieve the training simulator predetermined goals. Moreover, the same data will be registered at the beginning and at the end of each courses to compare the two groups of trainees (intensive vs non-intensive program).
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Intensive training group Participants in this group will undergo an intensive virtual training program twice a week |
Other: LapSim training
Complete 4 courses, each of 12 weeks, of virtual reality simulation on LapSim surgical simulator.
Other: LapSim exam
Completed at the beginning and at the end of each of the 4 courses the corresponding exam task.
|
| Active Comparator: Non-Intensive training group Participants in this group will undergo a non-intensive virtual training program once a week |
Other: LapSim training
Complete 4 courses, each of 12 weeks, of virtual reality simulation on LapSim surgical simulator.
Other: LapSim exam
Completed at the beginning and at the end of each of the 4 courses the corresponding exam task.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Learning curves of time, errors and economy of motion for each training tasks [48 weeks]
For each task, the computer automatically measures set parameters. Time, errors and economy of motion will be used in data analysis to create the learning curves for both intensive and non-intensive training group.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Intensive vs non-intensive training group [48 weeks]
For each exam tasks of the four training courses, compare the difference between the intensive and non-intensive training group, before and after each program training. Time, errors and economy of motion will be used in data analysis.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Trainees at the first and second year of residency in thoracic or general surgery
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Fully trained surgeons
-
Persons who are not trainees at year of specialization higher than the second
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Università degli Studi dell'Insubria | Varese | Italy | 21100 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Andrea Imperatori, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- LapSim training program