Simulation in healthcare : journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare
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Comparative Study
Virtual reality simulation in acquiring and differentiating basic ophthalmic microsurgical skills.
A virtual reality (VR) surgical simulator (EyeSi ophthalmosurgical simulator: VRMagic, Mannheim, Germany) was evaluated as a part-task training platform for differentiating and developing basic ophthalmic microsurgical skills. ⋯ VR simulator performance can be used as a gated, quantifiable performance goal to expert-level benchmarks. The EyeSi is a valid part-task training platform that may help develop novice surgeon dexterity to expert surgeon levels.
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Crisis resource management (CRM) skills are a set of nonmedical skills required to manage medical emergencies. There is currently no gold standard for evaluation of CRM performance. A prior study examined the use of a global rating scale (GRS) to evaluate CRM performance. This current study compared the use of a GRS and a checklist as formal rating instruments to evaluate CRM performance during simulated emergencies. ⋯ Construct validity seems to be present when using both the Ottawa GRS and CRM checklist to evaluate CRM performance during simulated emergencies. Data also indicate the presence of moderate inter-rater reliability when using both the Ottawa GRS and CRM checklist.
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Given the emphasis on early vascular access via the umbilical vein in neonatal resuscitation it is essential that participants in neonatal resuscitation simulation training be given the opportunity to practice both the placement and use of an emergency umbilical venous catheter. By integrating available parts from the Laerdal catalog, combined with a few other inexpensive components, into a Laerdal SimBaby we were able to create a single, integrated neonatal simulator that could be used to practice both the placement and use of an emergent umbilical vein catheter. ⋯ We have developed a modification to the Laerdal SimBaby involving the integration of a usable umbilical cannulation task trainer. The modification was easily accomplished using available parts from the Laerdal catalog and a few other inexpensive components. Given the emphasis on early vascular access via the umbilical vein and the complexities involved with the administration of medications and fluids via this route we believe that a usable umbilical cannulation task trainer is essential to neonatal resuscitation simulation training. When modified as described the Laerdal SimBaby can act as a high-fidelity newborn simulator that allows participants to practice both the placement and use of an emergency umbilical vessel catheter. Given our positive experience we think others could apply the above modification to their own SimBaby.
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Objective outcome measures for use with simulator-based assessments of cardiac physical examination competence are lacking. The current study describes the development and validation of an approach to scoring performance using a cardiac findings checklist. ⋯ Use of a cardiac findings checklist provides one objective measure of cardiac physical examination competence that may be used with simulator-based assessments.
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Educational opportunities with simulation are now available to teach endoscopic skills outside the clinical setting. The goal of this study is to assess the learning curve and subjective impressions of cystoscopic tasks performed by untrained subjects on a computer-based simulator using a standardized curriculum. ⋯ In this study a computer-based simulator was successfully incorporated into a training curriculum for cystoscopy education. For simulated tasks performed with rigid and flexible cystoscopes, a median of six training sessions was necessary. Objectively, performance on the testing scenarios significantly increased with experience. Subjectively based on nonvalidated criteria, comfort level, and perceived competency increased significantly from the pre- to postcourse evaluations.