Brief Title
Simulation Efficacy in Neurosurgical Education
Official Title
Investigating the Efficacy of Simulation Curricula in Neurosurgical Education
Brief Summary
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of simulation in neurosurgical training.
Detailed Description
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of simulation in neurosurgical training. This will be assessed using accuracy and speed tests in the placement of external ventricle drain catheters (EVDs). EVD placement is a relatively simple neurosurgical procedure aimed at inexperienced young trainees. This study has two arms. The recruits are inexperienced trainees and/or interns and students who have never performed EVD placements before. The recruits are randomly assigned (using computer-based randomisation) to either Arm A or Arm B. Recruits to Arm A undergo simulation training (computer simulation of the procedure, followed by simulation on a dead animal model), after which the recruits will attempt to perform an EVD procedure on their own, on a 3D-printed skull model that we designed. Recruits to Arm B will witness an EVD placement as performed by an experienced surgeon, after the recruits will attempt to perform an EVD procedure on their own, using the aforementioned 3D-printed skull model. This mimics the ''see one, do one'' paradigm prevalent in surgical training. The efficacy of the simulation training will be assessed using the following criteria: i. Accuracy test: The accuracy of the catheter placement is assessed in both arms and compared to investigate whether there is a difference in the accuracy of the catheter placement in both arms. ii. Speed test: The speed of catheter placement is assessed in both arms and compared to investigate whether there is a difference in the speed of the catheter placement in both arms. iii. Subjective surveys The researchers will gauge the extent of the trainees' confidence in their surgical skills and their satisfaction with their training before and after completion of the simulation training using a questionnaire to be designed for this purpose. The trainees will assess their own familiarity with and confidence in the procedure using a scale from 0 ("not familiar with the procedure", "I have no confidence in being able to perform this procedure independently") to 10 ("I am an expert at this procedure", "I am able to perform this procedure independently with complete confidence"). This data will be collected and input into a statistical software (Statistical Lab v. 3, CeDiS) to analyse the difference (if any) in the trainees' familiarity with the procedures and their confidence in being able to perform them in both arms.
Study Type
Observational
Primary Outcome
Accuracy of catheter placement
Secondary Outcome
Subjective survey
Condition
Educational
Intervention
Simulation training
Study Arms / Comparison Groups
Arm A: Simulation training cohort
Description: Recruits to Arm A undergo simulation training (computer simulation of the procedure, followed by simulation on a dead animal model), after which they will attempt to perform an EVD procedure on their own, on a 3D-printed skull model that we designed.
Publications
* Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by National Clinical Trials Identifier (NCT ID) in Medline.
Recruitment Information
Recruitment Status
Other
Estimated Enrollment
20
Start Date
June 2016
Primary Completion Date
January 2017
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: - never performed EVD placements before Exclusion Criteria: - any surgical experience with EVD placement
Gender
All
Ages
N/A - N/A
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Contacts
Alexander L Green, MD, 0049 6131 17 7331, [email protected]
Location Countries
Germany
Location Countries
Germany
Administrative Informations
NCT ID
NCT02988154
Organization ID
SimLab_SSP_01
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Study Sponsor
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Collaborators
University of Oxford
Study Sponsor
Alexander L Green, MD, Study Director, University of Oxford
Verification Date
January 2017