Validation of psychomotor tasks by Simbionix LAP Mentor simulator and identifying the target group.
BACKGROUND
This study addresses target group reliability and task validity for training on a laparoscopic simulator.


METHODS
Data were collected on 64 participants prospectively at the Department of OB/GYN, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel. The Simbionix LAP Mentor for laparoscopic simulation was used to test trainees. Each participant received a questionnaire to clarify his/her medical position, surgical experience, and previous virtual reality (VR) experience, including video gaming experience. Pre- and post-tests were performed. Performances were analyzed for task completion and total time.


RESULTS
All participants revealed a significant improvement in the post-test compared with the pre-test (p < .005), independent of their previous level of experience. Regarding accomplishment of the assigned task, the experts revealed in the pre-test an advantage in tasks 1-4 and 6-8. The beginners revealed wide-ranging improvements in tasks 3, 5, 8, and 9 between the pre-test and the post-test compared with novices in laparoscopic surgery (residents), and a wide range of improvements relative to experts. VR experience and video gaming exposure revealed an advantage in the pre-test; however, participants without previous exposure were able to narrow the gap, revealing extensive improvements in the post-test.


CONCLUSIONS
The trainer could be beneficial for medical students and surgical novices.
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Mohamed
M
Elessawy
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Arne
A
Wewer
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Veronika
V
Guenther
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Thorsten
T
Heilmann
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Christel
C
Eckmann-Scholz
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Christian
C
Schem
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Nicolai
N
Maass
b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Witten-Herdecke, Community Hospital Dormagen , Dormagen , Germany.
Karl-Günter
KG
Noe
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Liselotte
L
Mettler
a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany.
Ibrahim
I
Alkatout
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004501:Education, Medical; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D059032:Learning Curve; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching
Simulator; endoscopy; learning; learning curve; minimally invasive surgery; surgical education; training systems