[Face and content validation of the virtual reality transurethral prostatic resection simulator]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a common procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Traditional training methods for TURP may have limitations in providing consistent and safe learning experiences.
• Virtual reality (VR) simulators offer a potential solution for standardized surgical training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the face and content validity of the virtual reality transurethral resection of the prostate simulator (TURPSim).
• To evaluate the effectiveness of VR-based TURP training for urology residents.

Main Methods:

• Sixty urology doctors (experts and novices) participated in VR training using TURPSim.
• Participants performed simulated TURP procedures on prostates ranging from 25-80g.
• Post-training questionnaires assessed perceived utility, realism, and overall satisfaction with TURPSim.

Main Results:

• TURPSim demonstrated high mean scores for utility, realism, and overall satisfaction among both experts and novices.
• No significant differences in perceived value were found between expert and novice groups.
• Novice urology residents showed significant improvements in prostate resection rate, bleeding control, and safety after VR training.

Conclusions:

• The TURPSim is a well-validated tool for both face and content.
• VR-based training using TURPSim can effectively improve the skills required for performing TURP.
• TURPSim is a valuable adjunct for training urology residents in TURP procedures.