Progressively integrate haptic simulators from basic skills to complex surgical tasks across the curriculum¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 5 claims (3 for, 2 mixed) · 4 studies (2 review, 1 quant-synthesis, 1 associational), q2 · 0 of 4 report an effect size · 5 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The review recommends a staged curricular integration of haptic virtual simulators so learners gain familiarity with the technology over time before tackling complex procedures. It proposes starting "with basic skill (eg, knot tying) at early stages of curricular training followed by progression to complex surgical tasks (eg, tumor resection in a haptic-enabled VS) at later stages". Curricular integration should be complemented with hands-on simulator practice prior to training sessions.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Hands-on practice with the simulators prior to training sessions, as the review states curricular integration should always be complemented with hands-on practice

Constraints¶

• The review grounds this in LeBlanc and colleagues' finding that residents found the virtual simulator needed further improvement and took longer to complete tasks due to its novelty

Target Learners¶

• medical residents
• medical students
• novices in surgical training

Target Learning Goals¶

• surgical technical skills
• familiarity with haptic virtual simulation technology

Claims¶

• Skills trained in a haptic simulator were not transferable to a non-haptic simulator in one randomized trial [~W]
• Across 51 included studies, most results favored haptic over non-haptic conditions in surgical virtual simulations [+M]
• Sensor-based force measurement discriminates skill levels, with experts suturing faster and with lower applied force than novices [+W]
• Several included studies found haptic VR training equivalent rather than superior to conventional dental training [~W]
• Haptic simulator trials more frequently show superior accuracy outcomes when force-feedback and structured guidance are included [+M]

Related Strategies¶

• Integrate high-fidelity body donor models with low-fidelity simulators across the training progression
• Design virtual simulations with ease-of-use features, haptic technology, moderate immersion, and postscenario feedback

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Sayed Azher, Aralia Mills, Jinzhi He, Taliah Hyjazie, Junko Tokuno, Andrea Quaiattini, and Jason M. Harley. (2024). Findings Favor Haptics Feedback in Virtual Simulation Surgical Education: An Updated Systematic and Scoping Review. Surgical Innovation. https://doi.org/10.1177/15533506241238263