Research in progress: Evaluating the effectiveness of psychomotor skill transfer using a VR simulator between one type of arthroscopic surgery to another, in trainee doctors.

Abstract

Background Simulation training allows the development of surgical skills in a controlled setting and minimizes several key result areas such as risk of iatrogenic injuries, usage of operating theatre and financial expenditure. A promising new method in training arthroscopy is the use of virtual reality (VR) simulation devices with haptic feedback and three-dimensional (3-D) software which has significant potential for trainees to achieve a level of competency in various arthroscopic procedures prior to real life practice. The literature demonstrates VR devices with haptic feedback provide a sufficient level of realism and can distinguish between novice and expert operators. There is also strong evidence for direct transferability of skills to the operating theatre. With the progressively improving methods of simulation, it is likely that virtual reality devices with haptic feedback is going to become an important tool in the assessment and ongoing training of orthopaedic surgeons. This study aims to investigate the extent of psychomotor skill transfer between one type of joint surgery to another in medical students using VR simulator.

Methods To assess arthroscopic skill, participants performed two different types of procedures according to allocated groups. Group one will perform three repetitions of tasks A and B in a random order. Groups two and three two will perform six repetitions of task A and B respectively. Performance of the groups will be analysed to determine the degree of skill transfer and learning curve. Results and conclusion In progress