virtX - evaluation of a computer-based training system for mobile C-arm systems in trauma and orthopedic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Operating room personnel (ORP) operating mobile image intensifier systems (C-arms) need training to produce high quality radiographs with a minimum of time and X-ray exposure. Our study aims at evaluating acceptance, usability and learning effect of the CBT system virtX that simulates C-arm based X-ray imaging in the context of surgical case scenarios.


METHODS
Prospective, interventional study conducted during an ORP course with three groups: intervention group 1 (training on a PC using virtX), and 2 (virtX with a C-arm as input device), and a control group (training without virtX) - IV1, IV2 and CG. All participants finished training with the same exercise. Time needed to produce an image of sufficient quality was recorded and analyzed using One-Way-ANOVA and Dunnett post hoc test (alpha = .05). Acceptance and usability of virtX have been evaluated using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
CG members (n = 21) needed more time for the exercise than those of IV2 (n = 20): 133 +/- 55 vs. 101 +/- 37 sec. (p = .03). IV1 (n = 12) also performed better than CG (128 +/- 48 sec.), but this was not statistically significant. Seventy-nine participants returned a questionnaire (81% female, age 34 +/- 9 years, professional experience 8.3 +/- 7.6 years; 77% regularly used a C-arm). 83% considered virtX a useful addition to conventional C-arm training. 91% assessed virtual radiography as helpful for understanding C-arm operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Trainees experienced virtX as substantial enhancement of C-arm training. Training with virtX can reduce the time needed to perform an imaging task.
Bott
O J
OJ
Institute for Medical Informatics, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany. oliver.bott@fh-hannover.de
Teistler
M
M
Duwenkamp
C
C
Wagner
M
M
Marschollek
M
M
Plischke
M
M
Raab
B W
BW
Stürmer
K M
KM
Pretschner
D P
DP
Dresing
K
K
D000328:Adult; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009873:Operating Rooms; D009985:Orthopedics; D016544:Patient Simulation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013995:Time; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*