Abstract
Purpose::
This study was done to evaluate the VRmagic EYESI Ophthalmic surgery simulator as a tool in residency training. The primary goals of this study were to determine the simulator’s effectiveness in skill acquisition, to test its ability to discriminate surgical experience, and to obtain resident feedback regarding its usefulness.
Methods::
This was a prospective case series in which ten Ophthalmology residents from Loma Linda University volunteered to participate. The EYESI simulator used in this study was equipped with anterior segment software which consisted of four training modules. Each training module included four to six exercises of gradually increasing difficulty. The simulator displayed a score immediately following the completion of each exercise.Each resident was given a standardized introductory session with the simulator in which scores were not recorded. Each resident then completed three sessions with immediate feedback and recording of their scores. The sessions were completed over a period of two months with varying time intervals between to accommodate resident schedules. An investigator was present during all sessions.
Results::
Eight of the ten residents completed the study with a breakdown of 3 third-year, 3 second-year, and 2 first-year residents. To evaluate simulator effectiveness in skill acquisition, mean scores were calculated for all eight residents for the first and third simulator sessions for each of the four training modules. The mean scores increased between the first and third sessions for three of the four training modules. However, p-values calculated for these mean scores were not statistically significant.To determine the simulator’s ability to differentiate surgical experience, a mean score of all three simulator sessions was calculated for each year of residency training. These mean scores were calculated for each training module. Third-year residents scored highest in only one of the four modules. The mean scores were not statistically analyzed due to small sample size.
Conclusions::
Residents appeared to acquire skills using the simulator in three of the four training modules over 2 month duration, although these score changes were not statistically significant. The simulator did not appear to effectively differentiate according to resident training year. A future study with more participants and more sessions done at regular intervals is needed to further evaluate the EYESI.
Keywords: training/teaching cataract surgery