Master and Apprentice or a Slave to Technology? A Randomized Controlled Trial of Minimal Access Surgery Simulation-Based Training Techniques.

This study set out to assess the efficacy of three different approaches to simulation-based minimal access surgery (MAS) training using a three-dimensional printed neonatal thoracoscopic simulator and a virtual simulator. Randomized controlled trial of medical students ( = 32), as novices to MAS. The participants performed two construct validated tasks on a thoracoscopic simulator and were then randomly allocated into four intervention groups: (1) three consultant-led sessions on a thoracoscopic simulator; (2) three self-directed learning sessions on the same simulator; (3) self-directed "virtual training" on the "SimuSurg" application; and (4) control.