Validation of psychomotor tasks by Simbionix LAP Mentor simulator and identifying the target group

Abstract

Background: This study addresses target group reliability and task validity for training on a laparoscopic simulator.

Material and methods: Data were collected on 64 participants prospectively at the Department of OB/GYN, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel. The Simbionix LAP Mentor for laparoscopic simulation was used to test trainees. Each participant received a questionnaire to clarify his/her medical position, surgical experience, and previous virtual reality (VR) experience, including video gaming experience. Pre- and post-tests were performed. Performances were analyzed for task completion and total time.

Results: All participants revealed a significant improvement in the post-test compared with the pre-test (p < .005), independent of their previous level of experience. Regarding accomplishment of the assigned task, the experts revealed in the pre-test an advantage in tasks 1–4 and 6–8. The beginners revealed wide-ranging improvements in tasks 3, 5, 8, and 9 between the pre-test and the post-test compared with novices in laparoscopic surgery (residents), and a wide range of improvements relative to experts. VR experience and video gaming exposure revealed an advantage in the pre-test; however, participants without previous exposure were able to narrow the gap, revealing extensive improvements in the post-test.

Conclusion: The trainer could be beneficial for medical students and surgical novices.

Keywords:

• Simulator
• surgical education
• training systems
• learning curve
• endoscopy
• learning
• minimally invasive surgery

Acknowledgements

We thank Jürgen Hedderich for his professional statistical support and Dawn Rüther for editing the manuscript. We furthermore thank Göntje Peters for her valuable contribution to the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

We confirm that there are no instances of conflict of interest in our manuscript.