Safety of training and assessment in operating theatres--a systematic review and meta-analysis

A Pilot Study Evaluating a Virtual Reality-Based Nontechnical Skills Training Application for Urology Trainees: Usability, Acceptability, and Impact

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a virtual reality (VR)-based nontechnical skills (NTS) training application for urology trainees and assess its effectiveness in improving their skills and confidence.

DESIGN

A mixed-methods study was conducted to develop and evaluate a VR-based NTS training application for 32 urology trainees. The development process involved collaboration with 5 urology experts, 2 medical education specialists, and a human factors researcher. The study evaluated the application's usability, acceptability, and efficacy through 3 phases: scenario development with expert feedback integration, storyboarding and creation processes with facilitators and urology trainees, and a final evaluation by trainees.

SETTING

The data were collected during a 4-day urology boot camp in October 2022.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-two urology trainees participated in the study and completed 2 VR scenarios designed to enhance their NTS skills RESULTS: The System Usability Scale (SUS) showed a moderate usability score of 66. The Training Evaluation Inventory (TEI) and additional feedback demonstrated positive effects on trainees' learning and confidence in their NTS abilities. Most participants found the application easy to use, and effective and they expressed interest in using similar VR applications for other aspects of surgical training.

CONCLUSIONS

VR-based NTS training applications show potential for enhancing urology trainees' nontechnical skills. The integration of expert feedback and immersive technology offers a promising, accessible, and cost-effective solution to the challenges of delivering NTS training. Future research should explore the long-term impact of VR-based NTS training on trainees' performance and patient outcomes and consider incorporating advanced AI technologies for personalized and dynamic learning experiences.

Publishing Individual Surgeons' Outcomes in Urology: Empowering Patient Choice and Improving Safety

It has been demonstrated that publication of individual surgeons' outcomes has improved patient safety and choice. Taking into consideration the lack of negative impact on patient selection and surgical training, it is difficult to argue that surgeons' outcomes should not be openly available in urology.

Teamwork Assessment Tools in Modern Surgical Practice: A Systematic Review

Introduction. Deficiencies in teamwork skills have been shown to contribute to the occurrence of adverse events during surgery. Consequently, several teamwork assessment tools have been developed to evaluate trainee nontechnical performance. This paper aims to provide an overview of these instruments and review the validity of each tool. Furthermore, the present paper aims to review the deficiencies surrounding training and propose several recommendations to address these issues. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify teamwork assessment tools using MEDLINE (1946 to August 2015), EMBASE (1974 to August 2015), and PsycINFO (1806 to August 2015) databases. Results. Eight assessment tools which encompass aspects of teamwork were identified. The Nontechnical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) assessment was found to possess the highest level of validity from a variety of sources; reliability and acceptability have also been established for this tool. Conclusions. Deficits in current surgical training pathways have prompted several recommendations to meet the evolving requirements of surgeons. Recommendations from the current paper include integration of teamwork training and assessment into medical school curricula, standardised formal training of assessors to ensure accurate evaluation of nontechnical skill acquisition, and integration of concurrent technical and nontechnical skills training throughout training.