Objective assessment of surgeon’s psychomotor skill using virtual reality module

Abstract

<span>This study aims to identify measurable parameters that could be used as objective assessment parameters to evaluate surgical dexterity using computer-based assessment module. A virtual reality module was developed to measure dynamic and static hand movements in a bimanual experimental setting. The experiment was conducted with sixteen subjects divided into two groups: surgeons (N = 5) and non-surgeons (N = 11). Results showed that surgeons outperformed the non-surgeons in motion path accuracy, motion path precision, economy of movement, motion smoothness, end-point accuracy and end-point precision. The six objective parameters can complement existing assessment methods to better quantify a trainee’s performance. These parameters also could provide information of hand movements that cannot be measured with the human eye. An assessment strategy using appropriate parameters could help trainees learn on computer-based systems, identify their mistakes and improve their skill towards the competency, without relying too much on bench models and cadavers.</span>

Physical Factors Investigation on Surgical Dexterity Parameters Using Computer-based Assessment System

“…In order to measure the manual dexterity of subjects objectively, the hardware was implemented, and the software was deployed in the assessment system that is similar to the work from Ahmmad et al [25], [26]. Several changes were made to the experimental setups to investigate body posture, visual magnification, and handedness.…”

“…The dynamic trajectories were identified from the purple beginning point, reaching the target point. The dynamic motions were then analyzed into five parameters, which were motion path length, motion path accuracy, motion path precision, the economy of movement, and motion smoothness [26].…”

“…For static motion, the motions depicted after the cursor point had reached and hold to the target point for 3 seconds [26].…”