A Comparison of Teaching Modalities and Fidelity of Simulation Levels in Teaching Resuscitation Scenarios.

Introduction: The purpose of our study was to examine the ability of novices to learn selected aspects of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) in training conditions that did not incorporate simulation compared to those that contained low- and high-fidelity simulation activities. We sought to determine at what level additional educational opportunities and simulation fidelity become superfluous with respect to learning outcomes.

Methods: Totally 39 medical students and physician assistant students were randomly assigned to 4 training conditions: control (lecture only), video-based didactic instruction, low-, and high-fidelity simulation activities.

Development and construct validity of a low-fidelity training platform for driving large and small suture needles.

Background: The objective of this study was to describe and validate a novel training platform for driving large and small suture needles, which can ultimately be used for elemental vascular surgical training.

Methods: We developed a novel trainer and proficiency-based training curriculum that provides a platform for practice with handling fine vascular tools and needles as well as precision in suture targeting. The trainer comprises 2 concentric circles printed on cotton fiber material with 8 evenly spaced targets on each circle.

Development of a virtual reality robotic surgical curriculum using the da Vinci Si surgical system.

Introduction: This study aimed to develop a training curriculum to evaluate the basic robotic skills necessary to reach an 80 % preset proficiency score and correlate the level of surgical experience with the overall performance obtained using the da Vinci Surgical Skills simulator.

Methods: Twenty-two participants (4 faculty, 4 senior, and 14 junior residents) were enrolled in a 4-week robotic training curriculum developed at our institution. A set of seven robotic skills were selected based on the manufacturer's exercise primary endpoint.

Evaluation of two flexible colonoscopy simulators and transfer of skills into clinical practice.

Introduction: Surgical residents have learned flexible endoscopy by practicing on patients in hospital settings under the strict guidance of experienced surgeons. Simulation is often used to "pretrain" novices on endoscopic skills before real clinical practice; nonetheless, the optimal method of training remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare endoscopic virtual reality and physical model simulators and their respective roles in transferring skills to the clinical environment.

External validation and evaluation of an intermediate proficiency-based knot-tying and suturing curriculum.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform external validation, examine educational effectiveness, and confirm construct validity of a previously developed "intermediate-level, proficiency-based knot-tying and suturing curriculum" in preparing residents to achieve proficiency in more advanced open surgical techniques.

Methods: A total of 47 postgraduate year-1 (PGY-1) surgery residents completed 6 intermediate-level knot-tying and suturing exercises. Baseline trainee performance was compared with intermediate and senior (PGY-3 and PGY-4) residents (n = 12) and expert faculty (n = 4).

Virtual reality simulators: valuable surgical skills trainers or video games?

Background: Virtual reality (VR) and physical model (PM) simulators differ in terms of whether the trainee is manipulating actual 3-dimensional objects (PM) or computer-generated 3-dimensional objects (VR). Much like video games (VG), VR simulators utilize computer-generated graphics. These differences may have profound effects on the utility of VR and PM training platforms.

Evaluation of a dedicated, surgery-oriented visiting international medical student program.

Purpose: Programs dedicated to the successful integration of international medical graduates into the U.S. surgical residency training are scarce and foreign students are often unaware of their availability.

Practice schedules for surgical skills: the role of task characteristics and proactive interference on psychomotor skills acquisition.

Objective: Although break periods during training sessions are desirable, it is unclear what learners should do during these breaks. Some educators recommend that learners abstain from all task-related practice; however, it is possible that switching to an alternate exercise during break periods can also be effective. The construct of proactive interference (PI) posits that new learning is disrupted by prior learning.