The Eyesi simulator in training ophthalmology residents: results of a pilot study on self-efficacy, motivation and performance

Abstract

PurposeTo describe ophthalmology residents’ motivation and self-efficacy during cataract surgery training and to assess the relationship of self-efficacy and motivation on both simulator (Eyesi) and real-life surgical performance.MethodsProspective cohort study using a within-subject design. Eight residents were asked to fill out questionnaires on self-efficacy and motivation towards the Eyesi simulator and real-life cataract surgery at three different moments. Simulator performance was derived from the instrument’s output. Patient charts were reviewed to assess real-life surgical performance.ResultsComparative analysis, using a paired sampled t-test, showed a significant increase in self-efficacy towards real-life cataract surgery after completing the cataract training on the simulator (p=0.005). Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between total tasks to complete the cataract training and self-efficacy scored after working with the simulator (p=0.038). Motivation towards the simulator remained stable over time and seemed not to be influenced by simulator or real-life performance.ConclusionsWe found evidence that performance on the simulator correlated with residents’ self-efficacy scored after the simulator training, supporting the theory that self-efficacy is determined by prior performance. Self-efficacy seemed inversely related to the ease of completion of a task: delivery of a greater effort leads to more satisfaction and a higher perceived self-efficacy towards this particular task. Future studies should include more subjects to provide a more accurate insight in the role of self-efficacy and motivation in training complex surgical skills.

Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Game Technologies in Ophthalmology Training

“…It has an extensive user-administrable database for the analysis of clinically important pathologies. This team provides a spectrum of training to generate diagnoses for ophthalmology and optometry students [8,39].…”

“…The simulator offers an immersive and realistic environment without risk for the patient and integrates all aspects of a real surgical scene, suitable for training in hospitals and universities. It is important to mention that the evaluations in the conducted study reveal significant enough participants to generate favorable statistics for improvement through the use of these technologies [39,43].…”