title: Outcomes of a virtual-reality simulator-training programme on basic surgical skills in robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The utility of the virtual-reality robotic simulator in training programmes has not been clearly evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of a virtual-reality robotic simulator-training programme on basic surgical skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  A simulator-training programme in robotic surgery, using the da Vinci Skills Simulator, was evaluated in a population including junior and seasoned surgeons, and non-physicians. Their performances on robotic dots and suturing-skin pod platforms before and after virtual-simulation training were rated anonymously by surgeons experienced in robotics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  39 participants were enrolled: 14 medical students and residents in surgery, 14 seasoned surgeons, 11 non-physicians. Junior and seasoned surgeons' performances on platforms were not significantly improved after virtual-reality robotic simulation in any of the skill domains, in contrast to non-physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The benefits of virtual-reality simulator training on several tasks to basic skills in robotic surgery were not obvious among surgeons in our initial and early experience with the simulator. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Pitié-Salpêtrière Academic Hospital, Department of Urology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie Medical School, Paris 6 University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Phé
authors.affiliation: Pitié-Salpêtrière Academic Hospital, Department of Urology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie Medical School, Paris 6 University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cattarino
authors.affiliation: Pitié-Salpêtrière Academic Hospital, Department of Urology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie Medical School, Paris 6 University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parra
authors.affiliation: Pitié-Salpêtrière Academic Hospital, Department of Urology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie Medical School, Paris 6 University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Marc-Olivier
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bitker
authors.affiliation: Pitié-Salpêtrière Academic Hospital, Department of Statistics, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie Medical School, Paris 6 University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Vanina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ambrogi
authors.affiliation: Pitié-Salpêtrière Academic Hospital, Department of Urology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie Medical School, Paris 6 University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaessen
authors.affiliation: Pitié-Salpêtrière Academic Hospital, Department of Urology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie Medical School, Paris 6 University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Morgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rouprêt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D000070856:High Fidelity Simulation Training / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000076142:Virtual Reality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: learning-curve; medical subject headings (MeSH): robotic; simulation; surgery