SE16VIRTUAL REALITY LAPAROSCOPIC TRAINING IN AUSTRALIA

Opinions on the role of virtual reality simulation in surgical training are diverse and usually not evidence‐based. Several adequately powered, randomised and blinded studies have demonstrated an improvement in the operative performance of those who have undergone virtual reality training. Nonetheless there remains reluctance by the medical profession to incorporate simulation into training. This seems to be based on three misconceptions.

• 1 Simulators are expensive
• 2 It is difficult to incorporate them into an already overcrowded curriculum
• 3 The transfer of skill to the real world has not been demonstrated to reduce risk or improve patient outcomes.

We report on our attempts to assess the feasibility of establishing virtual training for local trainees and to assess its outcome on operative performance. 16 Basic surgical trainees were randomised into control and training groups. All underwent baseline testing of their psychomotor ability before the training group were allowed 24 hour access to a LapSim virtual reality simulator. It was not possible to complete this study and we will discuss the reasons for this which we believe has important implications for the future use of simulation in surgical training. 16 final year medical students were also recruited, and similarly randomised and assessed before being allowed access to the simulator. After four weeks of training, we were able to demonstrate a significant improvement in their simulated laparoscopic surgical skills when compared with the skills of local specialists. Using an animal model, we were able to demonstrate the effect of this on their operative performance.