title: Do soft skills predict surgical performance?: a single-center randomized controlled trial evaluating predictors of skill acquisition in virtual reality laparoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Virtual reality (VR) training in minimal invasive surgery (MIS) is feasible in surgical residency and beneficial for the performance of MIS by surgical trainees. Research on stress-coping of surgical trainees indicates the additional impact of soft skills on VR performance in the surgical curriculum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of structured VR training and soft skills on VR performance of trainees.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a single-center randomized controlled trial. Fifty first-year surgical residents with limited experience in MIS ("camera navigation" in laparoscopic cholecystectomy only) were randomized for either 3 months of VR training or no training. Basic VR performance and defined soft skills (self-efficacy, stress-coping, and motivation) were assessed prior to randomization using basic modules of the VR simulator LapSim(®) and standardized psychological questionnaires. Three months after randomization VR performance was reassessed. Outcome measurement was based on the results derived from the most complex of the basic VR modules ("diathermy cutting") as the primary end point. A correlation analysis of the VR end-point performance and the psychological scores was done in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Structured VR training enhanced VR performance of surgical trainees. An additional correlation to high motivational states (P < 0.05) was found. Low levels of self-efficacy and negative stress-coping were related to poor VR performance in the untrained control group (P < 0.05). This correlation was absent in the trained intervention group (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low self-efficacy and negative stress-coping strategies seem to predict poor VR performance. However, structured training along with high motivational states is likely to balance out this impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Visceral, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maschuw
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schlosser
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kupietz
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weyers
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hassan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012016:Reference Values; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface