Face validation of the Virtual Electrosurgery Skill Trainer (VEST©)

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Education
• Electrosurgery Technology

Background:

• Electrosurgery is a critical surgical technique with inherent risks, including patient injury and fires.
• The SAGES FUSE program addresses knowledge gaps in safe electrosurgical device use.
• The Virtual Electrosurgery Skill Trainer (VEST©) was developed to train cognitive and motor skills for safe electrosurgery operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the face validity of the Virtual Electrosurgery Skill Trainer (VEST©) simulator.
• To evaluate the simulator's effectiveness in teaching electrosurgery fundamentals.
• To gauge user perception regarding the simulator's realism and applicability.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-three subjects completed the monopolar electrosurgery module on the VEST© simulator.
• Face validity was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire.
• Subjects were categorized based on prior FUSE program experience.

Main Results:

• The VEST© simulator received high median scores (≥4) across all assessment questions.
• Respondents rated the VEST© highly for aiding learning of electrosurgery fundamentals (median score of 5).
• No significant difference in perception was found between subjects with and without FUSE experience (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

• The VEST© simulator demonstrates strong face validity, indicating high realism in visual aspects and tissue effects.
• The simulator's self-learning materials are effective for mastering electrosurgery fundamentals.
• Expanding VEST© with additional modules would enhance its overall applicability in surgical training.