RESUMEN

Simulators are widely used in medical education, but objective and automatic assessment is not feasible with low-fidelity simulators, which can be solved with artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) solutions. The effectiveness of a custom-made VR simulator and an AI-based evaluator of a laparoscopic peg transfer exercise was investigated. Sixty medical students were involved in a single-blinded randomised controlled study to compare the VR simulator with the traditional box trainer. A total of 240 peg transfer exercises from the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery programme were analysed. The experts and AI-based software used the same criteria for evaluation. The algorithm detected pitfalls and measured exercise duration. Skill improvement showed no significant difference between the VR and control groups. The AI-based evaluator exhibited 95% agreement with the manual assessment. The average difference between the exercise durations measured by the two evaluation methods was 2.61 s. The duration of the algorithmic assessment was 59.47 s faster than the manual assessment. The VR simulator was an effective alternative practice compared with the training box simulator. The AI-based evaluation produced similar results compared with the manual assessment, and it could significantly reduce the evaluation time. AI and VR could improve the effectiveness of basic laparoscopic training.

Asunto(s)

Inteligencia Artificial , Laparoscopía , Realidad Virtual , Humanos , Laparoscopía/educación , Femenino , Masculino , Adulto Joven , Adulto , Estudiantes de Medicina , Competencia Clínica , Entrenamiento Simulado/métodos , Simulación por Computador , Método Simple Ciego , Algoritmos

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) can provide the tools to safely master minimally invasive surgery (MIS) skills in patient-free environments and receive immediate objective feedback without the constant presence of an instructor. However, TEL-based systems tend to work isolated from one another, focus on different skills, and fail to provide contents without a sound pedagogical background. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this descriptive study is to present in detail EASIER, an innovative TEL platform for surgical and interventional training, as well as the results of its validation. METHODS: EASIER provides a Learning Management System (LMS) for institutions and content creators that can connect and integrate TEL "external assets" (virtual reality simulators, augmented box trainers, augmented videos, etc.) addressing different skills. The platform integrates all skills under an Assessment Module that measures skills' progress in different courses. Finally, it provides content creators with a pedagogical model to scaffold contents while retaining flexibility to approach course design with different training philosophies in mind. Three courses were developed and hosted in the platform to validate it with end-users in terms of usability, performance, learning results in the courses and student self-perception on learning. RESULTS: In total 111 volunteers completed the validation. The study was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited access to external assets (virtual reality simulators). Nevertheless, usability was rated with 73.1 in the System Usability Scale. Most positive aspects on performance were easiness to access the platform, easiness to change the configuration and not requiring additional plug-ins to use the platform. The platform was rated above average in the six scales of the User Experience Questionnaire. Overall, student results improved significantly across the three courses (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides, within its limitations, evidence on the usefulness of the EASIER platform for distance learning of MIS skills. Results show the potential impact of the platform and are an encouraging boost for the future, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asunto(s)

Educación a Distancia , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Mínimamente Invasivos , Humanos , Competencia Clínica , COVID-19 , Aprendizaje , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Mínimamente Invasivos/educación , Pandemias

RESUMEN

The European Union is earmarking more and more resources each cycle to support research, development and innovation, and the projects set up by the working groups are helping to develop innovative solutions to reflecting societal issues of today. Since 2014, the Department of Surgical Research and Techniques of the Cardiovascular Center at Semmelweis University has been participating in international consortia supported by the Erasmus+ programme, which aim to modernise the teaching methodology of surgical training and to integrate IT technology into the training of surgical residents at pan-European level. This paper briefly summarises the international projects in which the Department has been involved over the last 7 years.