Face, Content, and Construct Validity of a Virtual Reality Otoscopy Simulator and Applicability to Medical Training

Abstract

Objective Otologic diseases are common in all age groups and can significantly impair the function of this important sensory organ. To make a correct diagnosis, the correct handling of the otoscope and a correctly performed examination are essential. A virtual reality simulator could make it easier to teach this difficult-to-teach skill. The aim of this study was to assess the face, content, and construct validity of the novel virtual reality otoscopy simulator and the applicability to otologic training. Study Design Face and content validity was assessed with a questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed in a prospectively designed controlled trial. Setting Training for medical students at a tertiary referral center. Method The questionnaire used a 6-point Likert scale. The otoscopy was rated with a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills. Time to complete the task and the percentage of the assessed eardrum surface were recorded. Results The realism of the simulator and the applicability to medical training were assessed across several items. The ratings suggested good face and content validity as well as usefulness and functionality of the simulator. The otolaryngologists significantly outperformed the student group in all categories measured (P < .0001), suggesting construct validity of the simulator. Conclusion In this study, we could demonstrate face, content, and construct validity for a novel high-fidelity virtual reality otoscopy simulator. The results encourage the use of the otoscopy simulator as a complementary tool to traditional teaching methods in a curriculum for medical students.

Virtual Simulation in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Scoping Review of Recent Practice

“…In addition, Fukuta et al ( 46 ) generated a virtual operating theater orientation to improve knowledge and confidence of medical undergraduates. Except five validation studies of virtual simulators ( 26 , 47 , 53 , 65 , 81 ) in which the undergraduates acted as the novice group for comparison with the skilled group, the findings of all the other included studies positively supported the usability and its feasibility of integrating VS in surgical training.…”

“…This finding suggested that VR might be a typical and popular representative of modern VS technology used in medical education. Moreover, only one third of (31) articles ( 15 , 16 , 22 , 26 , 31 – 33 , 38 , 47 , 48 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 58 , 60 – 62 , 64 , 65 , 67 , 71 , 73 , 75 , 76 , 78 – 80 , 95 , 96 , 101 , 105 ) included in this review were based on the commercially available or free VS softwares/platforms, the rest used the self-developed ones.…”

“…Of the included 92 papers, 38% (35 paper) reported the integration of VS in surgical training for medical undergraduates, among which 12 studies focused on the instructional application of virtual endoscopic [including laparoscopic ( 31 , 36 , 37 , 56 , 73 , 76 , 78 , 98 ), arthroscopic ( 26 , 47 , 48 ), and otoscopic ( 53 )] simulators; 7 studies were for learning procedures or concepts of orthopedic and bone surgery ( 32 , 33 , 35 , 45 , 57 , 66 , 70 ); 5 studies were based on VS system or platform as a primary mode of teaching neurosurgical procedures, neuroanatomy and pathologies ( 22 , 28 , 71 , 80 , 81 ); 4 papers ( 38 , 61 , 75 , 84 ) reported the exposure of medical undergraduates as novice surgeons to the robotic surgery simulators; 2 studies conducted by the same team ( 64 , 65 ) explored the VR simulation-based training in Cochlear Implant surgery; the other 2 were for learning basic motor skills in liver surgery ( 50 , 52 ); 1 in minimally invasive surgery ( 97 ), and 1 in vitreoretinal surgery ( 67 ). In addition, Fukuta et al ( 46 ) generated a virtual operating theater orientation to improve knowledge and confidence of medical undergraduates.…”

Development of HOTS-based assessment instruments in calculating building structures moment for Vocational High Schools (VHS)

“…The method used in this study is the Research and Development (R&D) method which can be referred to as research and development through a literature review approach with measurement data and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) data analysis techniques and intends to test the validity of construct measurements on engineering mechanics [17,[25][26]. Construct validity proves that these measurements can confirm the indicators in the instrument items in measuring engineering mechanics learning competencies [27].…”

Einsatz von Virtual Reality in der HNO-Lehre: eine Alternative zum konventionellen Anatomiemodell

“…Es handelt sich hierbei um Präsentationsformen, die dazu geeignet sind, abstrakte räumliche Informationen, die den Augen des Betrachters unter normalen Umständen nicht unmittelbar zugänglich sind, erfahrbar zu machen [ 24 ]. Es können aber auch weniger spektakuläre, klinische Routineuntersuchungen mithilfe der VR patientenunabhängig zu Ausbildungszwecken eingesetzt werden [ 1 ], was in Zeiten der Corona-Pandemie eine enorme Hilfe bei der Aufrechterhaltung von Präsenzunterricht war und ist [ 17 ]. Die Maximalvariante einer solchen realitätsnahen Simulation wird als „immersive patient simulator“ (IPS) bezeichnet [ 8 ].…”