title: Face, content, and construct validity of a novel portable ergonomic simulator for basic laparoscopic skills.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic skills can be improved effectively through laparoscopic simulation. The purpose of this study was to verify the face and content validity of a new portable Ergonomic Laparoscopic Skills simulator (Ergo-Lap simulator) and assess the construct validity of the Ergo-Lap simulator in 4 basic skills tasks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four tasks were evaluated: 2 different translocation exercises (a basic bimanual exercise and a challenging single-handed exercise), an exercise involving tissue manipulation under tension, and a needle-handling exercise. Task performance was analyzed according to speed and accuracy. The participants rated the usability and didactic value of each task and the Ergo-Lap simulator along a 5-point Likert scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutional academic medical center with its affiliated general surgery residency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six participants were allotted into 2 groups: a Novice group (n = 26, <10 clinical laparoscopic procedures) and an Experienced group (n = 20, >50 clinical laparoscopic procedures).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Experienced group completed all tasks in less time than the Novice group did (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). The Experienced group also completed tasks 1, 2, and 4 with fewer errors than the Novice group did (p < 0.05). Of the Novice participants, 96% considered that the present Ergo-Lap simulator could encourage more frequent practice of laparoscopic skills. In addition, 92% would like to purchase this simulator. All of the experienced participants confirmed that the Ergo-Lap simulator was easy to use and useful for practicing basic laparoscopic skills in an ergonomic manner. Most (95%) of these respondents would recommend this simulator to other surgical trainees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This Ergo-Lap simulator with multiple tasks was rated as a useful training tool that can distinguish between various levels of laparoscopic expertise. The Ergo-Lap simulator is also an inexpensive alternative, which surgical trainees could use to update their skills in the skills laboratory, at home, or in the office.
authors.affiliation: Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands. Electronic address: d.xiao@tudelft.nl.
authors.forename: Dongjuan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Research and Education, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jack J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jakimowicz
authors.affiliation: Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Armagan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albayrak
authors.affiliation: Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sonja N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Buzink
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sanne M B I
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Botden
authors.affiliation: Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Richard H M
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Goossens
mesh_terms: D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013664:Teaching Materials
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Medical Knowledge; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; ergonomic; laparoscopy; simulator; surgical trainee