Development and Evaluation of a Three-Dimensional Multistation Cardiovascular Simulator.

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Education Technology

Background:

• A novel three-dimensional multistation cardiovascular simulator was developed using low-fidelity, anatomically correct materials.
• The simulator aims to facilitate deliberate practice in cardiovascular surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the realism and utility of a new three-dimensional multistation cardiovascular simulator.
• To assess its suitability for cardiovascular surgery training programs.

Main Methods:

• Expert validation surveys were administered to surgical educators and senior fellows.
• Surveys included self-report realism ratings (0-4) and global recommendation ratings (0-3).
• Paired Student t tests and a many-facet Rasch model were used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• The simulator achieved an overall realism rating of 3.23 out of 4.
• Senior fellows and staff surgeons provided varied but generally positive feedback on specific stations and overall utility.
• The overall global recommendation rating was 2.38 out of 3, indicating potential for training programs.

Conclusions:

• The three-dimensional multistation cardiovascular simulator demonstrates adequate realism for training purposes.
• It is a viable option for cardiovascular surgery training programs, with potential for minor enhancements.
• Such simulators can support deliberate practice and skill reinforcement for surgeons.