ProMIS augmented reality training of laparoscopic procedures face validity.
BACKGROUND
Conventional video trainers lack the ability to assess the trainee objectively, but offer modalities that are often missing in virtual reality simulation, such as realistic haptic feedback. The ProMIS augmented reality laparoscopic simulator retains the benefit of a traditional box trainer, by using original laparoscopic instruments and tactile tasks, but additionally generates objective measures of performance.


METHODS
Fifty-five participants performed a "basic skills" and "suturing and knot-tying" task on ProMIS, after which they filled out a questionnaire regarding realism, haptics, and didactic value of the simulator, on a 5-point-Likert scale. The participants were allotted to 2 experience groups: "experienced" (>50 procedures and >5 sutures; N = 27), and "moderately experienced" (<50 procedures and <5 sutures; N = 28).


RESULTS
General consensus among all participants, particularly the experienced, was that ProMIS is a useful tool for training (mean: 4.67, SD: 0.48). It was considered very realistic (mean: 4.44, SD: 0.66), with good haptics (mean: 4.10, SD: 0.97) and didactic value (mean 4.10, SD: 0.65).


CONCLUSIONS
This study established the face validity of the ProMIS augmented reality simulator for "basic skills" and "suturing and knot-tying" tasks. ProMIS was considered a good tool for training in laparoscopic skills for surgical residents and surgeons.
Botden
Sanne M B I
SM
Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Buzink
Sonja N
SN
Schijven
Marlies P
MP
Jakimowicz
Jack J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation; D012984:Software; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface