Validation of a novel virtual reality robotic simulator

Area of Science:

• Surgical Simulation
• Robotic Surgery Training
• Virtual Reality in Medicine

Background:

• The da Vinci surgical system is widely used in minimally invasive procedures.
• Effective training simulators are crucial for developing surgical skills.
• Virtual reality (VR) simulators offer a safe environment for practicing complex procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the face, content, and construct validity of the Mimic dV-Trainer (MdVT), a VR simulator for the da Vinci surgical system.
• To assess the simulator's realism, relevance, and utility for training.

Main Methods:

• Twenty participants (5 experts, 15 novices) performed standardized tasks on the MdVT.
• Face and content validity were assessed using Likert-scale questionnaires.
• Workload was measured using the NASA Task Load Index (TLX).

Main Results:

• The MdVT demonstrated high face validity, with participants rating it as easy-to-use and realistic.
• Content validity was affirmed, with experts deeming it a valuable training tool for residents.
• Preliminary construct validity showed the MdVT could distinguish between expert and novice performance.
• Workload scores were generally lower for experts, except for temporal demand.

Conclusions:

• The MdVT exhibits excellent face and content validity, with reasonable workload parameters.
• This VR simulator shows potential for enhancing resident training in robot-assisted surgery.
• The MdVT may help bridge the gap between skill acquisition and proficient performance in live surgery.