Validation of the Advanced Scope Trainer for Flexible Ureterorenoscopy Training

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) is a minimally invasive procedure for treating kidney stones.
• Effective training simulators are crucial for developing fURS skills.
• The Advanced Scope Trainer (AST) is a novel simulator for fURS training that requires validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Advanced Scope Trainer (AST) for flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) training.
• To assess the face, content, construct, and concurrent validity of the AST.
• To evaluate the transferability of skills learned on the AST to the operating room.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, observational study involving novices (n=19) and trainees (n=34) performing fURS on the AST.
• Concurrent validity assessed by 15 participants performing fURS on fresh frozen cadavers.
• Performance evaluated using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS); face and content validity assessed via anonymous surveys.

Main Results:

• Trainees reported 76% realism for the AST, with laser stone fragmentation and manual stone extraction rated as most realistic.
• Content validity supported by participant belief in skill transferability to the operating room.
• Concurrent validity demonstrated in 'respect for tissue' (P=.0105) and 'time and motion' (P=.0196).
• Significant construct validity shown by higher OSATS scores for trainees (23.89±5.38) vs. novices (10.11±2.28).

Conclusions:

• The Advanced Scope Trainer (AST) demonstrates face, content, construct, and concurrent validity for fURS training.
• The AST shows potential for effective skill transfer to clinical practice.
• Further research is needed to establish predictive validity of skills acquired using the AST.