An Innovative Medical Student Clinical Clerkship in Advanced Urologic Laparoscopy: A Preliminary Experience

Abstract

There is substantial interest among medical students in advanced laparoscopic surgery, and it can support a third- or fourth-year clinical clerkship in laparoscopic urology. Student evaluations revealed very high satisfaction. This elective is of benefit to students interested in urology and other surgical specialties.

Comparison of Laparoscopy Training Using the Box Trainer Versus the Virtual Trainer

“…All 5 exercises listed below (a-e) address basic laparoscopic skills: depth perception, manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and adaptation to the fulcrum effect. Images of these exercises developed by our laboratory were provided in an earlier publication by Gjertson et al 4 …”

“…The accuracy is measured by the amount of deviation from the pre-marked pattern of the circle on the gauze and reported as a percent error. 4,7 …”

“…Accuracy is measured based on the linear deviation from the painted outline in the x and y axes divided by length and width of the letter (expressed as a percentage). 4 …”

“…The point system for accuracy includes: 1 point for each millimeter that the needle pierces away from the marks, 10 points for an air knot, and 20 points for a knot that untangles. 4,7 …”

“…3,4 For this reason, the course elective was designed to help medical students and residents develop and improve their laparoscopic skills before they participate in laparoscopic surgery on patients. Trainees may take advantage of unlimited practice time without placing a patient's safety at risk.…”