The Simbla TURBT Simulator in Urological Residency Training: From Needs Analysis to Validation

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Transurethral Resection of a Bladder Tumor (TURBT) is a critical surgical procedure.
• Effective training for TURBT is essential for urological residency programs.
• Evaluating new simulation tools is vital for enhancing surgical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the Simbla TURBT simulator as an educational tool for urology residents.
• To determine the simulator's feasibility, acceptability, and validity (face, content, construct).
• To analyze training needs for TURBT through an expert consensus and training needs analysis (TNA).

Main Methods:

• A training needs analysis (TNA) identified TURBT procedural steps and pitfalls.
• Seventy-six participants (novices, intermediates, experts) performed standardized TURBT on the Simbla simulator.
• Quantitative surveys assessed face, content validity, feasibility, and acceptability; construct validity was evaluated by performance metrics.

Main Results:

• The Simbla simulator covered 13 of 21 steps and 8 of 17 identified TURBT pitfalls.
• Participants rated the simulator highly for realism (face validity) and usefulness for eye-hand coordination (content validity).
• Novices demonstrated longer resection times and poorer outcomes (e.g., irradical resections, bladder perforations) compared to experienced surgeons, confirming construct validity.

Conclusions:

• The Simbla TURBT simulator is a valid, feasible, and acceptable tool for procedural skills training.
• It can be integrated into urological curricula to supplement clinical learning.
• Training needs analysis (TNA) is crucial for defining training objectives and evaluating simulator educational value.