Construct validity of anterior segment anti-tremor and forceps surgical simulator training modules: attending versus resident surgeon performance.

PURPOSE

To compare the performance of the anterior segment forceps and anti-tremor training modules of the EYESi surgical simulator (VRmagic) by residents and experienced attending surgeons using the simulator for the first time.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

METHODS

Twelve residents (4 per year) in the Mayo Clinic ophthalmology residency program and 3 experienced anterior segment surgeons participated. Each participant completed a total of 20 task trials on the EYESi forceps and anti-tremor level 4 training modules. Thus, the 15 participants completed a total of 300 task trials.

RESULTS

For the forceps module, experienced surgeons achieved significantly better total scores (P = .03), with lower total task time (P = .007) and instrument-in-eye time (P = .006) measurements. For the anti-tremor module, experienced surgeons achieved significantly better total scores (P = .02), with lower task time (P = .04) and instrument-in-eye time (P = .02) measurements. In addition, experienced surgeons performing the anti-tremor task had 76% more precise surgical outcomes as measured by the out-of-tolerance percentage (P = .03). All forceps and anti-tremor-measured parameters indicated significantly lower performance (P< .05) for the first 1 or 2 trials, with the exception of anti-tremor module incision stress, out-of-tolerance percentage, and average tremor values. Experienced surgeons had more consistent (lower variance) total scores on the forceps (P = .05) and anti-tremor (P = .03) training modules.

CONCLUSION

The EYESi surgical simulator anterior segment forceps and anti-tremor modules showed significant (P< .05) construct validity.