Simulated colonoscopy training leads to improved performance during patient-based assessment.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) endoscopy simulators are increasingly adopted for training novice endoscopists.
• Limited data exist on the impact of simulator training on the early learning curve of novice endoscopists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical performance of novice endoscopists in colonoscopy after intensive VR simulator training.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of prolonged VR simulator training on early-stage endoscopic skills.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study at a single university medical center.
• Eighteen inexperienced trainees underwent 50 or 100 VR colonoscopies.
• Performance assessed via simulator-based assessment (SBA) and patient-based assessment (PBA) at various training intervals.

Main Results:

• VR training significantly reduced mean cecal intubation time on SBA (9.50 to 2.20 minutes).
• Colonic insertion depth during PBA improved significantly (29.4 cm to 63.7 cm).
• The learning effect plateaued after 60 VR colonoscopies.

Conclusions:

• Intensive VR colonoscopy simulator training significantly improves novice performance.
• VR training translates to enhanced patient-based colonoscopy outcomes.
• Supports the rationale for intensive VR simulator training in the early learning phase of colonoscopy.