A multicenter prospective cohort study on camera navigation training for key user groups in minimally invasive...

Area of Science:

• Medical simulation
• Surgical education
• Human factors in surgery

Background:

• Untrained camera assistants in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) risk suboptimal views and errors.
• Camera navigation is often handled by inexperienced personnel, including nurses and students.
• Existing training programs often exclude operating room nurses and medical students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the face and construct validity of a new virtual reality laparoscopic camera navigation (LCN) module.
• To determine the suitability of the LCN module for training operating room nurses and novice surgical trainees.
• To evaluate the LCN module's potential to enhance team performance in MIS.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter prospective cohort study.
• Assessed face validity via expert and trainee questionnaires on realism and usability.
• Assessed construct validity by comparing performance (speed, movement proficiency) across experience levels.

Main Results:

• The LCN module received uniformly positive evaluations, confirming face validity.
• Expert and intermediate groups showed significantly better task time and camera stability than novice groups (P < .007).
• All groups demonstrated significant improvement in proficiency over three repetitions, indicating a learning curve.

Conclusions:

• The virtual reality LCN module possesses both face and construct validity.
• The module is appropriate for training operating room nurses and novice surgical trainees.
• The LCN module can contribute to improved team performance in MIS settings.