title: Virtual reality ophthalmic surgical simulation as a feasible training and assessment tool: results of a multicentre study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare performance on the Eyesi surgical simulator by users with different levels of experience in ophthalmology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentre cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four medical students, 4 ophthalmic medical technologist trainees, 36 ophthalmology residents, 3 fellows, and 18 staff ophthalmologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were recruited at the 2007 Canadian Ophthalmological Society Meeting and in the departments of ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, and University of Western Ontario. Subjects performed a standardized 20-minute session on the Eyesi simulator. The protocol consisted of a practice trial in the anterior segment module, followed by 3 scored trials in the anterior forceps, antitremor, and capsulorhexis modules.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the forceps module, participants with greater experience achieved significantly higher total scores than those who were less experienced: staff ophthalmologists (Group D) = 67.9 (SD 18.4), senior residents and fellows (Group C) = 67.6 (SD 21.1), junior residents (Group B) = 52.9 (SD 29.4), medical students and ophthalmic medical technologist trainees (Group A) = 27.8 (SD 29.4) (p = 0.011), with lower total task time (p = 0.044) and fewer injuries to the cornea (p = 0.001) and lens (p = 0.026). In the antitremor module, subjects in Group D achieved significantly higher (p = 0.004) total scores (46.7, SD 21.6) than Groups C (45.8, SD 25.1), B (41.2, SD 29.4), and A (8.5, SD 9.2) with lower total task time (p = 0.005) and fewer errors (p = 0.003). In the capsulorhexis module there was also a positive correlation between experience and total scores achieved (p = 0.065).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjects' level of training is a reliable predictor of their performance on the Eyesi anterior forceps and antitremor modules (p < 0.05), indicating the modules' construct validity.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Tran D B
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Feisal A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Adatia
authors.forename: Wai-Ching
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003200:Computer User Training; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D009881:Ophthalmic Assistants; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult