Documenting a Learning Curve and Test-retest Reliability of a Virtual Reality Training Simulator in Laparoscopic Surgery

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the learning curve for each of seven tasks in a virtual reality laparoscopic simulator by medical students.

Detailed Description
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Developing objective methodology for assessing technical skill is paramount to superior surgical training. Alternatives to the traditional apprenticeship model of surgical training are necessary in today's emphasis on cost containment and professional competency. Metrics are widely employed in virtual environments and provide a yardstick for performance measurement. The current method of defining metrics for medical simulation remains more an art than a science. Many studies have demonstrated that trainees who practice laparoscopic skills in a simulated environment will improve their mastery of those skills when tested in that same environment. Fewer studies have been able to document the learning curve for mastery of tasks in a virtual reality simulator. This study will investigate the learning curve for tasks in a virtual reality laparoscopic simulator.

Official Title
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Documenting a Learning Curve and Test-retest Reliability of a Virtual Reality Training Simulator in Laparoscopic Surgery

Conditions
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Education

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: LapSim training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Medical students, years 1 through 4 are eligible. No prior clinical experience with laparoscopic surgery as the assistant surgeon. No prior simulation training (mechanical, PC-based or otherwise). Exclusion Criteria: Persons who are not medical students. Medical students with prior clinical experience with laparoscopic surgery as the assistant surgeon. Medical students with prior simulation training (mechanical, PC-based or otherwise).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: 1<br>Completing simulator training sessions | Other: LapSim training<br>* complete curriculum training on LapSim surgical simulator<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Establish learning curve for each of seven tasks on the simulator. | For each of the module seven modules, the computer automatically measures set parameters. Each measured parameter that is recorded in the simulator will be used in data analysis. | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Establish test-retest reliability for each of seven tasks on the simulator. |  | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Education, Virtual Reality, Laparoscopic Surgery, Learning Curve