The development of a virtual reality training curriculum for colonoscopy

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Education
• Gastroenterology Training

Background:

• Colonoscopy demands significant expertise, but traditional training opportunities are diminishing.
• Virtual reality (VR) simulation offers a novel solution for colonoscopy training.
• Device-specific curricula enhance training by focusing on validated modules and proficiency criteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a structured virtual reality (VR) training curriculum for colonoscopy.
• To utilize high-fidelity simulation for effective colonoscopy skill acquisition.
• To create a benchmarked curriculum for VR colonoscopy training.

Main Methods:

• Fifty participants (novices, intermediates, experienced) were recruited.
• Construct validity and learning value were assessed for simulator tasks.
• Tasks with significant learning curves and validity were selected for the curriculum.

Main Results:

• Eight validated tasks (abstract, part-procedural, procedural) were included.
• The whole-procedure task showed significant learning curves for key metrics.
• Performance benchmarks were established using experienced colonoscopists' data.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive, stratified, and benchmarked VR colonoscopy curriculum was created.
• This curriculum is designed for a modern high-fidelity VR simulator.
• The developed curriculum supports proficient colonoscopy training through simulation.