Voluntary Autonomous Simulator Based Training in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Residents' Compliance and Reflection

Incentivising practice with take-home laparoscopic simulators in two UK Core Surgical Training programmes

“…They had been previously assessed and shown to have construct, concurrent and content validity in a comparison study with the previously extensively validated FLS task 20. We attempted to address issues associated with non-engagement in laparoscopic skills practice outside the operating theatre by providing set learning goals (time to task completion), giving feedback, ensuring opportunity for practice during working hours using the highly portable equipment, without needing to be online every time and providing the incentive of live operating 15 18 19. It was the last of these which was novel and which we felt would make the difference.…”

“…Drawing on the work of Stefanidis et al 18 and van Empel et al ,19 we hypothesised that goal setting linked to practice and the reward of progression in the live operating theatre would incentivise trainees to practise using take-home laparoscopic simulators. Thus, the aim of this feasibility study, the Incentivised Laparoscopy Practice Study (ILPS), was to quantify gains in laparoscopic motor skills of CSTs using take-home simulators and to assess trainee engagement with simulation.…”

The technological evolution in surgical skills

“…Surgical trainees primarily show a positive response to simulation-based training with the view that it should form a mandatory part of the postgraduate curriculum. 6 We therefore ask trainers to explore the use of such applications when training their trainees. We also caution trainees that the use of such applications does not remove the need for real clinical exposure and practise, or for reading the supporting literature prior to the case; however, open access to such technology without any geographical or fi scal restrictions for trainees is a refreshing mode in modern medical literature.…”

“…Traditional surgical apprenticeships offer varied experiences on an individual basis. Surgical trainees primarily show a positive response to simulation‐based training with the view that it should form a mandatory part of the postgraduate curriculum …”

Effectiveness of Learning Advanced Laparoscopic Skills in a Brief Intensive Laparoscopy Training Program

“…These qualities make it difficult to compare different types of programs. [13][14][15] Intensive training programs (within the length of a few days) arose as a response to the needs of surgeons and residents with time constraints or with geographic limitations on their access to simulation centers. This type of program could be effective in the initial stages of simulated laparoscopic training in untrained surgeons 16 or for surgeons with little laparoscopic experience.…”