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Published on: August 15, 2025
Serious gaming and voluntary laparoscopic skills training: a multicenter study
E G G Verdaasdonk1, J Dankelman, M P Schijven
1Department of BioMechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands. E.G.G.Verdaasdonk@tudelft.nl
Serious gaming via virtual reality simulators can enhance surgical residents' voluntary laparoscopic skills training. Increased practice attempts correlated with higher scores, suggesting a valuable tool for monitoring trainee progress.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Serious Gaming
Background:
- Laparoscopic surgery requires extensive motor skill development.
- Traditional surgical training may lack sufficient objective skill assessment.
- Virtual reality (VR) simulators offer a controlled environment for skill acquisition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a serious gaming competition using a VR simulator for voluntary surgical skills training.
- To assess the impact of competition on trainee engagement and practice frequency.
- To explore the utility of online data capturing for monitoring skills progression.
Main Methods:
- A 3-month online competition was conducted using a VR laparoscopic simulator.
- Surgical residents and other trainees voluntarily participated.
- Performance was assessed via task completion in three exercises, with scores logged online.
- The top performer received an incentive (laptop).
Main Results:
- 31 participants from seven hospitals logged 777 scores.
- Voluntary participation and additional training sessions were observed.
- A positive correlation was found between the number of attempts and higher scores.
- Online data facilitated monitoring of skills progression.
Conclusions:
- Serious gaming competitions can effectively motivate voluntary skills training in surgical residents.
- VR simulators combined with online monitoring provide a valuable platform for assessing and improving laparoscopic skills.
- This approach can aid in simulator validation and track trainee development.
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