Virtual Ureteroscopy Predicts Ureteroscopic Proficiency of Medical Students on a Cadaver

Abstract

For novice endoscopists performance on the simulator after training predicted operative (cadaver) performance and, thus, it may be useful for the education and assessment of physicians in training. However, VR training is unable to override the impact of clinical training, although it may help shorten the learning curve early in training.

Task-specific bench model training versus basic laparoscopic skills training for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a randomized controlled study

“…[9][10][11][12] For example, a VR simulator named URO Mentor (Simbionix) is commercially available for training in endourology. Several studies have shown that training on the simulator improves performance.…”

Update on Resident Training Models for Ureteroscopy

“…In contrast, among the residents, cadaver performance did not correlate with VR2 performance, but did correlate positively with year of training (r 2 =0.585 for total time to complete task and 0.626 for global rating score). As such, the authors demonstrated predictive validity for the URO Mentor for inexperienced medical students, but not for residents, whose clinical training was a better predictor of clinical (cadaver) performance [23]. These findings suggest that VR training on the URO Mentor may have benefit in the early learning curve of novice endoscopists, but it does not substitute for clinical experience as the trainee progresses.…”

“…Notably, construct and predictive validity of the URO Mentor have been established by randomized controlled trials [23][24][25]. These, and additional key validation studies for the URO Mentor, are discussed below.…”

“…The URO Mentor is the only ureteroscopic simulator that has been subjected to predictive validity testing [23,27]. Ogan and coworkers [23] performed baseline VR testing (VR1) in a group of inexperienced medical students and a group of residents with varying degrees of ureteroscopy training, then randomized the medical students to training on the URO Mentor or no training. Both groups underwent post-testing on the simulator (VR2), after which they were evaluated during diagnostic ureteroscopy in a cadaver model [23].…”

Simulation training in video-assisted urologic surgery

“…To evaluate criterion-related validity, Ogan et al [23] investigated the translation of virtual reality skills into endoscopic proficiency measured on a cadaveric model. Sixteen medical students and 16 urology residents were enrolled in a prospective trial.…”