Individualized Deliberate Practice on a Virtual Reality Simulator

Training on simulated models in a surgical skills laboratory has been shown to improve technical performance in the operating room. Currently described simulation-based curricula consist of trainees practicing the same tasks until expert proficiency is reached. It has yet to be investigated whether individualized deliberate practice, where curricula tasks vary depending on prior levels of technical proficiency, would translate to the operating room.

This randomized controlled trial effectively demonstrates that deliberate practice on a virtual reality simulator results in an improvement in technical skills in a real clinical situation. This enhances the feasibility of implementing simulation-based curricula into residency training programs, and consequently has the potential to improve patient safety.

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Key information

Conditions

Education General Surgery

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

post graduate year 1 and 2 surgical residents
performed less than 10 laparoscopic cholecystectomies as the primary surgeon

Exclusion criteria

Treatment and study plan

Deliberate Practice

Other

Primary outcomes

Technical skills

Time frame: 6 months

Participants' technical skills will be assessed in the operating room as they perform a laparoscopic cholecystectomy under supervision. The procedure will be video-recorded and sent for assessment to a blinded evaluator. Technical skills will be assessed using a previously validated technical skills assessment tool (Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill - OSATS)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Unity Health Toronto

Other

Collaborators

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Registry information

Official study title

Individualized Deliberate Practice on a Virtual Reality Simulator Improves Technical Performance of Surgical Novices in the Operating Room: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start: 2008
Primary completion: 2011
Study completion: 2011
First posted: Dec 20, 2012
Registry last updated: Dec 20, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed