Prospective, randomised and blinded comparison of proficiency-based progression full-physics virtual reality simulator training versus invasive vascular experience for learning carotid artery angiography by very experienced operators

Abstract

IntroductionWe assessed the transfer of training (ToT) of virtual reality simulation training compared to invasive vascular experience training for carotid artery angiography (CA) for highly experienced interventionists but new to carotid procedures.MethodsProspective, randomised and blinded.SettingCatheterisation and skills laboratories in the USA.ParticipantsExperienced (mean volume=15 000 cases) interventional cardiologists (n=12) were randomised to train on virtual reality (VR) simulation to a quantitatively defined level of proficiency or to a traditional supervised in vivo patient case training.Outcome measuresThe observed performance differences in performing a CA between two matched groups were then blindly assessed using predefined metrics of performance.ResultsExperienced interventional cardiologists trained on the VR simulator performed significantly better than their equally experienced controls showing a significantly lower rate of objectively assessed intraoperative errors in CA. Performance showed 17–49% ToT from the VR to the in vivo index case.DiscussionThis is the first prospective, randomised and blinded clinical study to report that VR simulation training transfers improved procedural skills to clinical performance on live patients for experienced interventionists. This study, for the first time, demonstrates that VR simulation offers a powerful, safe and effective platform for training interventional skills for highly experienced interventionists with the greatest impact on procedural error reduction.

Effects of three‐dimensional virtual reality and traditional training methods on mental workload and training performance

“…Duarte, Rebelo, and Wogalter (2010) have used VR to develop innovative technologies to improve man-machine interaction and to enhance training performance. Cates, Lönn, and Gallagher (2016) showed that using VR in training can improve performance by 17-49%. Trainees can become easily more familiar with machine operation when the VR training method is used.…”

Practicing Interprofessional Team Communication and Collaboration in a Smart Virtual University Hospital

“…Studies have shown that VR simulations contribute to enhanced procedural skills, with clear transfer of training to clinical practice [22]. A variety of surgical VR simulators have been developed (e.g., dental, laparoscopic and eye surgery) which have shown clear benefits for medical training [23].…”

“…There are, as mentioned above, examples of individual projects, but there is a lack of research-based innovation and research on implementation where such solutions are integrated into existing everyday teaching. For example, Cates [22] and Ruthenbeck [23] have requested more research on the use of VR / virtual environments for procedural training at different levels of medical education and exploration of solutions with greater level of interactivity and increased realism.…”

Research on Black Box Testing Technology Based on Virtual Reality

“…VR technology can change the way that people obtain information, so as to improve the harmony between human and machine and make the human-computer interface more intuitive [1]. VR's immersive and interactive features will play a very important role in improving the testing environment.…”