title: Evaluation and Implementation of a High-Fidelity Cleft Palate Simulator.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cleft palate repair is a challenging procedure to learn because of the delicate tissue handling required and the small confines of the infant oral cavity. As a result, cleft palate simulators have previously been described to augment cleft palate repair training. Although valuable, they lack the fidelity for this complex procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A high-fidelity cleft palate simulator was evaluated by staff and fellows in pediatric plastic surgery who provided feedback on its realism, anatomical accuracy, and effectiveness as a training tool. The simulator was implemented within a training workshop following a didactic session on cleft palate repair and anatomy. A test was administered to each participant before and immediately after the workshop to assess knowledge transfer. Perceived confidence of performing a repair following the workshop was also assessed, as was the workshop's effectiveness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, participants agreed that the simulator is anatomically accurate and realistic and strongly agreed that the simulator is a valuable training tool. The average test score increased from 25 percent before the workshop to 77.27 percent after the workshop. Overall, participants of the workshop felt more confident performing a repair and strongly agreed that the workshop was valuable and effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high-fidelity cleft palate simulator has been evaluated as realistic, anatomically accurate, and valuable as a training tool. The simulator was successfully integrated into a training workshop, which resulted in significant knowledge increase on anatomy and the procedure and perceived confidence and comfort in performing a cleft palate repair.
authors.affiliation: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto; the Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention; and the Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children.
authors.forename: Dale J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Podolsky
authors.affiliation: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto; the Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention; and the Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto; the Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention; and the Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children.
authors.forename: Karen W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto; the Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention; and the Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Looi
authors.affiliation: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto; the Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention; and the Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.affiliation: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto; the Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention; and the Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Forrest
mesh_terms: D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D004493:Education; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome