Speed versus damage: using selective feedback to modulate laparoscopic simulator performance.

Background: Adaptive training is an approach in which training variables change with the needs and traits of individual trainees. It has potential to mitigate the effect of personality traits such as impulsiveness on surgical performance. Selective performance feedback is one way to implement adaptive training.

The Fun Factor: Does Serious Gaming Affect the Volume of Voluntary Laparoscopic Skills Training?

Background: The availability of validated laparoscopic simulators has not resulted in sustainable high-volume training. We investigated whether the validated laparoscopic serious game Underground would increase voluntary training by residents. We hypothesized that by removing intrinsic barriers and extrinsic barriers, residents would spend more time on voluntary training with Underground compared to voluntary training with traditional simulators.

Fast or safe? The role of impulsiveness in laparoscopic simulator performance.

Background: Little is known about the relation between impulsiveness and surgical performance even though research in similar high-risk/high-skills shows evidence of more hazardous behavior by impulsive professionals. We investigated the impact of impulsiveness on laparoscopic simulator performance.

Methods: Eighty-three subjects participated in a four-session laparoscopic training course.

Competency assessment tool for laparoscopic suturing: development and reliability evaluation.

Background: Laparoscopic suturing can be technically challenging and requires extensive training to achieve competency. To date no specific and objective assessment method for laparoscopic suturing and knot tying is available that can guide training and monitor performance in these complex surgical skills. In this study we aimed to develop a laparoscopic suturing competency assessment tool (LS-CAT) and assess its inter-observer reliability.

Peers versus Pros: Feedback using standards in simulation training.

Background: Creating and updating expert performance-based standards for simulators is labor intensive and requires the regular availability of expert surgeons. We investigated how peer performance based standards compare to expert performance based standards.

Methods: One hundred medical students took part in a four-session laparoscopic basic skills simulator training course.

Saving robots improves laparoscopic performance: transfer of skills from a serious game to a virtual reality simulator.

Background: Residents find it hard to commit to structural laparoscopic skills training. Serious gaming has been proposed as a solution on the premise that it is effective and more motivating than traditional simulation. We establish construct validity for the laparoscopic serious game Underground by comparing laparoscopic simulator performance for a control group and an Underground training group.