Evaluation of a new virtual-reality training simulator for hysteroscopy.
BACKGROUND
To determine realism and training capacity of HystSim, a new virtual-reality simulator for the training of hysteroscopic interventions.


METHODS
Sixty-two gynaecological surgeons with various levels of expertise were interviewed at the 13(th) Practical Course in Gynaecologic Endoscopy in Davos, Switzerland. All participants received a 20-min hands-on training on the simulator and filled out a four-page questionnaire. Twenty-three questions with respect to the realism of the simulation and the training capacity were answered on a seven-point Likert scale along with 11 agree-disagree statements concerning the HystSim training in general.


RESULTS
Twenty-six participants had performed more than 50 hysteroscopies ("experts") and 36 equal to or fewer than 50 ("novices"). Four of 60 (6.6%) responding participants judged the overall impression as "7--absolutely realistic", 40 (66.6%) as "6--realistic", and 16 (26.6%) as "5--somewhat realistic". Novices (6.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.28-6.7) rated the overall training capacity significantly higher than experts (6.08; 95% CI 5.85-6.3), however, high-grade acceptance was found in both groups. In response to the statements, 95.2% believe that HystSim allows procedural training of diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopy, and 85.5% suggest that HystSim training should be offered to all novices before performing surgery on real patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Face validity has been established for a new hysteroscopic surgery simulator. Potential trainees and trainers assess it to be a realistic and useful tool for the training of hysteroscopy. Further systematic validation studies are needed to clarify how this system can be optimally integrated into the gynaecological curriculum.
Bajka
Michael
M
Clinic of Gynaecology, Dept. OB/GYN, University Hospital Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland. michael.bajka@hin.ch
Tuchschmid
Stefan
S
Streich
Matthias
M
Fink
Daniel
D
Székely
Gábor
G
Harders
Matthias
M
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012984:Software; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface