Improvement and Retention of Arthroscopic Skills in Novice Subjects Using Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training (FAST) Module.

INTRODUCTION

Analysis of the Fundamentals of Arthroscopy Surgery Training (FAST) workstation regarding increased proficiency and retention of basic arthroscopy skills in novice subjects.

METHODS

First-year medical students from a single allopathic medical school performed weekly standardized FAST workstation modules for a consecutive 6 weeks. Primary outcomes evaluated were time to task completion and error rate on specific modules. Scores were analyzed using a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance design for overall trends in time and errors over the 6-week study. Psychomotor retention was analyzed after a 12-week and 24-week interlude.

RESULTS

Across the initial 6-week study, the average time to complete all modules at the workstation decreased significantly (P < 0.001) with a mean reduction in the total workstation time of 21.9 minutes (s = 8.12 minutes). Weekly comparisons showed the most significant improvement from week 1 to week 2 for the total workstation time (P < 0.001). Results after a 12-week and 24-week interval of inactivity demonstrated no significant difference in the mean workstation time or errors when compared with the original 6-week study.

DISCUSSION

The FAST workstation significantly improved the task performance of novice participants over a 6-week period with no significant deterioration in task performance after 12 and 24 weeks of inactivity.