|
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 90-B, Issue 4,
494-499.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.90B4.20414 Copyright © 2008 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery Transferring simulated arthroscopic skills to the operating theatreA RANDOMISED BLINDED STUDYN. R. Howells, BSc, MRCS, Research Fellow1; H. S. Gill, DPhil, University Lecturer in Orthopaedic Engineering1; A. J. Carr, ChM, FRCS, Nuffield Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery1; A. J. Price, MA, DPhil, FRCS(Tr & Orth), Clinical Reader in Musculoskeletal Science and Honorary Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon1; and J. L. Rees, MD, FRCS(Tr & Orth), University Lecturer in Orthopaedics and Honorary Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon11 Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Oxford, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK. Correspondence should be sent to Mr J. L. Rees; e-mail: Jonathan.Rees{at}ndos.ox.ac.uk
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of laboratory-based simulator training on the ability of surgical trainees to perform diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee. A total of 20 junior orthopaedic trainees were randomised to receive either a fixed protocol of arthroscopic simulator training on a bench-top knee simulator or no additional training. Motion analysis was used to assess performance objectively. Each trainee then received traditional instruction and demonstrations of diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee in theatre before performing the procedure under the supervision of a blinded consultant trainer. Their performance was assessed using a procedure-based assessment from the Orthopaedic Competence Assessment Project and a five-point global rating assessment scale. In theatre the simulator-trained group performed significantly better than the untrained group using the Orthopaedic Competence Assessment Project score (p = 0.0007) and assessment by the global rating scale (p = 0.0011), demonstrating the transfer of psychomotor skills from simulator training to arthroscopy in the operating theatre. This has implications for the planning of future training curricula.
Read all eLetters |
|


